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Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson has deactivated his Instagram profile after receiving a barrage of abuse following the north London derby. Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory to claim the early bragging rights despite being without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal of the game, powering a header into the back of the net in the second half. The result marked Tottenham's third straight home defeat at the hands of their greatest rivals, prompting anger from supporters.

Johnson was selected to start on the right flank but was substituted in the 68th minute. After the match, he was subjected to abuse from Tottenham fans on social media and has responded by deactivating his Instagram account.

The Welshman is seemingly looking to shield himself from the outside noise after Tottenham's second defeat in four games. He scored five goals in his debut season with the club but is yet to open his account for the new campaign.

Jamie O'Hara was left unimpressed with Johnson's display against Arsenal and posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Brennan Johnson is even more frustrating to watch in the flesh than he is on TV."

The former Tottenham midfielder previously criticised Johnson's decision-making ability during an appearance on talkSPORT, saying: "I just feel like sometimes his feet work quicker than his brain, do you know what I mean?

"I am looking at him, like going: 'Go and sort out your feet out and you will score. Sort your feet out and you will go past him'."

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou put the result down to a lack of bite in attack when quizzed on what went wrong after the final whistle.

"I thought it was a tight game all the way along," he said. "We controlled it for the most part and got off to a good start. We didn't capitalise on the opportunities and we were unable to get on top of them.

"We had some good opportunities but we created so many more. We just wasted some of our good play, similar to our other games where we haven't really had that conviction in the front third to take advantage of, whether it's us winning the ball back or getting into that front third and nothing coming of it."

Declan Rice sang praises for the Arsenal squad following their narrow 1-0 triumph over Spurs in the north London derby.

In a game where resilience paid off, Gabriel's header from a Bukayo Saka corner past the hour mark sealed the deal.

Despite being forced to sit out the heated encounter due to a suspension from his Brighton dismissal and the absence of Martin Odegaard with an ankle injury sustained playing for Norway, Rice couldn't resist expressing his admiration for the team after the game concluded, taking to his story to share the score along with the enthusiastic words: "I love this team!!!!!"

Cristian Romero has caused a stir on social media by briefly reposting a report suggesting Tottenham chiefs forced him to organise his own travel back from international duty.

Romero suffered through a miserable Sunday as the player he was meant to be marking for a second-half corner, Gabriel Magalhaes, headed home Arsenal's winner in the north London derby.

And Romero seemingly took out his anger by reposting a report from Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul, which translates to: "Tottenham lost to Arsenal again.

"Tottenham has not yet consolidated its position to fight because it is not in the details: It was the only club in the Premier League which sent players back from international duty on their own and without their own logistics by decisions of its leaders.

"It gave an advantage because its players arrived with less rest than others. Cuti Romero played with a fever."

Romero promptly removed it from his X page, but not before screenshot proof began circulating. The defender then posted his own message to supporters, who were still down in the dumps after suffering a third consecutive defeat at home to the Gunners.

It read: "It hurts to lose a derby, but I have no doubt that we will turn this bad start to the season around. Let's all be together, also at this moment. Thanks to all the fans for always supporting us."

Romero had a tougher international break than most, jetting all the way to South America and playing the full 90 minutes in both of Argentina's matches, the latter of which being a 2-1 defeat to Colombia on Tuesday night.

His taxing two weeks translated to problems on the pitch as, by and large, Spurs fans were left dissatisfied with his performance. In the crucial moments leading up to the goal, Arsenal legend Paul Merson felt Romero was unlucky not to be awarded a foul for a nudge in the back, but he also insisted the defending deserved to be punished.

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"He is in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending," Merson told Sky Sports. "He's an international centre-half. Even I know, and I don't play at the back, that you've got to be side-on, seeing the ball and your player.

"To start off with you've got to be a hand-length away (from him), and he was standing with him. But I do think... I'd expect a foul. I would expect a foul."

Paul Merson believes that Arsenal's winning goal in the north London derby should have been disallowed for a foul on Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. The Gunners beat their bitter rivals 1-0 on Sunday to bank three vital points for Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal had fewer shots, shots on target and less of the ball but Gabriel Magalhaes' 64th-minute header proved decisive in a tense affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Brazilian powered in from the edge of the six-yard box, but only after a shove in the back of his opposite number, Romero. Merson, who played over 400 games for Arsenal, slammed the Argentine's defending but believes the Spurs man was unlucky not to be awarded a foul, which would have seen the goal chalked off.

"I would be disappointed if I didn't get a foul," Merson said on Sky Sports. "(Romero) is in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending. He's an international centre-half.

"Even I know, and I don't play at the back, that you've got to be side-on, seeing the ball and your player. To start off with you've got to be a hand-length away (from him), and he was standing with him. I do think... I'd expect a foul. I would expect a foul."

Arsenal have now won three consecutive matches on their sworn enemy's turf, and the victory was made even sweeter by the fact Arteta was forced to reshuffle his midfield due to Declan Rice's suspension and Martin Odegaard's injury.

Jorginho and Thomas Partey anchored the middle of the park, but it was in defence where Arsenal shone brightest, restricting Spurs to speculative crosses and shots from distance.

"We were missing key players but we have a total team, the whole squad," Jorginho told Sky Sports after the game. "We know whoever comes on is going to be ready to help the team. Everyone was ready today and we’re really proud.

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"We had to work really hard but we knew it would be difficult. We know we can count on each other and that’s what we do. We stick together. At the end it paid off, and I’m so happy for this guy (Gabriel) who scored the winning goal."

Arsenal are now second in the Premier League table and only two points behind title rivals Manchester City ahead of their hotly-anticipated showdown at the Etihad Stadium next weekend.

Gabriel was the hero for Arsenal as they secured bragging rights over Tottenham in the north London derby.

The Brazil international nodded a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario in the 64th minute after he had managed to easily break free from Cristian Romero.

In the absence of several key players, namely Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, the Gunners were forced to show their defensive resilience throughout the match in a performance full of heart and courage, which certainly will please Mikel Arteta.

Express Sport looks at five key talking points from a fierce encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Arteta sent Spurs warning ahead of corner goal

Arsenal’s set-pieces have been vital in their progress over the past few seasons, and Arteta warned Tottenham ahead of kick-off that his side would continue to focus on exploiting their height in those areas – even without usual taker Rice. The Spaniard was proven right too, with Gabriel’s header evidencing his claims.

Speaking earlier this week, he said: “It's a very specific phase of play but if we were only dependent on one player, then we would have a problem. We haven't built our methodology or our way of attacking or defending any phase of play in that way. So we are going to adapt to whatever players that we have and we will still be very efficient."

Three stars struggle for Arteta

Arteta will be very pleased with how his side performed on the whole against Spurs, though three players did struggle throughout the clash. Gabriel Martinelli continues to appear drained of confidence and wasted several key opportunities to create openings on the counter-attack with sloppy passes, and his tame shot from close range in the first-half highlighted his general lack of belief.

Leandro Trossard and Jorginho were tasked with replacing Odegaard and Rice in the derby but both struggled to make their mark, with the latter slowing down the match at key times and losing possession inside his own half on several occasions. With Odegaard expected to be sidelined for a matter of weeks, Trossard will need to improve if he is to retain his spot in the Gunners’ starting 11.

Arsenal will not be wearing their traditional home kit in today's north London derby for the first time in nearly four decades. Mikel Arteta's side will make the short trip across the capital to face their greatest rivals, with the local bragging rights firmly on the line.

In years gone by, Arsenal have worn their usual red and white against Tottenham but that will not be the case today. They will be playing in their black away strip after being banned from wearing their traditional colours by PGMOL and the Premier League.

It was determined that Arsenal's home kit features too much white, which would clash with Tottenham's home colours. The Gunners requested to wear red shorts and socks in order to reach a compromise, but the powers that be were unwilling to budge.

As a result, they will be wearing their all-black away kit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon. It will be the first time Arsenal have not worn their home colours in a north London derby since 1985/86, when they donned a yellow and blue strip.

They will be hoping to maintain their winning record in their new away kit, having beaten Aston Villa while wearing it last month. The shirt combines a black base with red, white and green trim as a tribute to former Arsenal players David Rocastle and Ian Wright.

The colours previously featured in a limited edition trainer, which was designed to celebrate the friendship between the two club legends. The shoe was named the Honor Oak in reference to the area of London in which both players grew up.

Arsenal's away shirt is matched with black shorts and black socks, giving it a sleek aesthetic. It remains to be seen if it will prove to be a lucky charm when the Gunners face Tottenham on away soil later today.

They will need to find a way to win in the absence of Declan Rice, who is suspended following his red card against Brighton. Martin Odegaard is also a major doubt after picking up an injury while on international duty with Norway in midweek.

If both players are ruled out of the fixture, Jorginho and Thomas Partey will be ready to deputise in the middle of the park. Kai Havertz could also move further back into a creative role with Leandro Trossard able to operate as a central striker when required.

Tottenham forward Richarlison has seemingly revealed that Dominic Solanke will return to the side for the north London derby. The club's record signing has missed Spurs' last two matches with the ankle injury he picked up in the draw at Leicester on the opening weekend of the season.

But manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed the £65million man is back in full training and available for Sunday's visit of Arsenal.

And if the social media activity of his Brazilian team-mate is anything to go by, Solanle will go straight back into the starting XI.

Marking his 27th birthday on Instagram. Solanke wrote: "Thank you Lord for another year. Thanks for all the love and messages." His post included praying hands and white heart emojis.

Richarlison unwittingly responded with "Sonny will give you a gift tomorrow bro." He added a smiling emoji, with his words strongly suggesting Solanke will partner the club's South Korean captain up front for the huge clash.

The ex-Everton man won't be involved himself. He came off the bench late at Leicester and in the win over his former club the following week Everton, but missed the defeat at Newcastle having picked up an an unspecified injury in training.

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The issue is set to keep him out for a number of weeks. But without even being involved in the fixture, he's now risked the wrath of Postecoglou who is likely to be irate at a key selection seemingly being revealed.

Noticeably, the Tottenham social media team had not posted any material containing Solanke this week, despite his manager revealing he had recovered from his injury. The ploy had seemingly kept fans guessing as to whether the one-cap England international would be included from the start or as a substitute.

Spurs failed to beat their arch rivals in either of the league clashes under their Australian manager last season, but supporters are now eyeing a huge opportunity. The Gunners will arrive without Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and skipper Martin Odegaard in what appears a midfield crisis.

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But Postecoglou has warned against complacency. In his pre-match press conference on Friday, he argued: "That's a hell of a trap to fall into, if you think they are reliant on two players (Rice and Odegaard).

"If we go in there thinking they are somehow weakened, we are going to get punished. If we go into it thinking they are going to be very strong, which I think they will be, then we have got to be at our best."

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Tottenham reportedly have doubts over the severity of Martin Odegaard's injury, despite the Arsenal midfielder being seen on crutches this week.

The Gunners face a midfield crisis ahead of Sunday's fiery north London Derby. After being given his marching orders in Arsenal's stalemate with Brighton last month, Declan Rice misses out, while Mikel Merino is injured and Odegaard might also be on the unavailable list.

Merino faces about two months out following a fractured shoulder incurred during his first training session with the club, and Odegaard is tipped to be sidelined for three weeks after suffering an ankle during Norway's match against Austria.

However, according to the Independent, insiders at Spurs harbour questions about how severe Odegaard's condition truly is, contemplating if he could make an appearance in tomorrow's derby.

Their scepticism arose after Arsenal delayed releasing information on the injury, even though scan findings would have been available as early as Wednesday.

Adding to the intrigue, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta played coy ahead of the derby. "We need some more tests", he said. "Let's see what happens in the next day or so. He is super positive about everything. Martin wants to be there every single day.

Arteta is reportedly considering a daring tactical switch-up for the upcoming clash, with injury concerns over Odegaard. The Gunners may adopt a more reserved approach against Tottenham, aiming to soak up pressure and strike on the break.

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The potential shift in strategy would see Arsenal relinquish their usual 55-60% possession stats in favour of letting Spurs control the game, a move that could catch their rivals off guard.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have fitness updates of their own, with Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven tipped to make a return. However, Yves Bissouma's availability remains uncertain after he suffered an injury during Mali's recent match.

Ange Postecoglou said" "He [Bissouma] has got a bit of an issue, but we'll have a look at him over the next couple of days and see how it settles."

Spurs will also be without Richarlison, as Postecoglou confirmed the forward "still has a bit of work to do" before he's back to peak condition.

Ex-Tottenham boss David Pleat has claimed his time as a BBC pundit was cut short due to age discrimination. The seasoned manager, who took the helm at Luton, Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday, became a familiar voice on BBC Radio Five Live, earning plaudits for his insightful analysis and eloquent turn of phrase.

After his final spell managing Spurs in 2004 - though he would later return in a different capacity - Pleat juggled consultancy and scouting with his broadcasting career until the BBC abruptly let him go. Pleat, 79, put the decision down to "pure ageism" in an interview with The Telegraph. The BBC declined to comment when approached by the Express.

Pleat also felt he was the victim of changing times back at Tottenham, where he had been a consultant scout since 2010. Addressing his recent departure from the club he has had such a long connection with, he said: "I was called in and informed, 'It's all data-driven now we don't need eyes and ears'.

“What nonsense! Data is all well and good when it enhances eyes and ears, not replaces them. I didn’t argue.”

Reflecting on his managerial peak in the 1980s, Pleat was known for his hands-on approach and commitment to attractive, attacking play with Luton, Spurs and Leicester. Today's football landscape, however, favours head coaches who concentrate solely on the first team, supported by extensive backroom staff and hierarchies.

"There are so many processes," said Pleat. "You recommend a player and it has to go through a recruitment person, then the head of recruitment, then the director of football, then the manager, then the chairman.

“But do you know who has the last say? The bank manager. I think there’s too many voices now. Peter Taylor [the former Nottingham Forest assistant manager who worked alongside Brian Clough] once told me that when it comes to making a decision, two’s company three’s a crowd.”

Despite his advancing years, Pleat asserts he isn't done with the game, adding: "Two or three people have spoken to me about things. We'll see.

"But I'm not finished. How can I step away? When it comes to football, I'm afraid I'm a total obsessive."

Tottenham will be desperate to secure a morale-boosting victory in the first north London derby of the new Premier League campaign. They have not beaten Arsenal in almost two years but will fancy their chances of securing all three points on Sunday afternoon.

Ange Postecoglou's side have only taken four points from their opening three matches and were beaten by Newcastle before the international break. However, there is plenty of optimism ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal missing Declan Rice, while Martin Odegaard is a huge doubt.

Express Sport takes a look at how Tottenham could line up...

Tottenham predicted XI vs Arsenal (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper - Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario will retain his place between the sticks as Tottenham's first-choice goalkeeper. He has performed well in spite of their patchy form, only conceding three goals in as many Premier League games.

He will have his toughest test of the campaign when he is tasked with keeping out the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz on Sunday.

Defence - Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie

Tottenham will be boosted by the return of Micky van de Ven in central defence following his injury in the win over Everton. He missed the defeat to Newcastle but Postecoglou confirmed on Friday that he would be ready to play against Arsenal.

"Micky's good, he's trained all the way through the international break and it was good for him to stay with us to build him back up so he's ready to go," said the Aussie.

The rest of Tottenham's back four is likely to be unchanged with Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie all set to feature.

Midfield - Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison

Tottenham's midfield trio of Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison is likely to remain untouched for the visit of Arsenal. Yves Bissouma could be forced to miss the match after picking up a groin injury while on international duty with Mali.

Discussing his fitness levels, Postecoglou said: "Everyone's reporting all well except for Biss. He's got a bit of an issue, but we'll have a look at him over the next couple of days and see how it settles.

"It’s not serious, but he’s getting treatment today. We’ll see how it goes. It’s a tweak in his groin. The initial reports is it’s not serious which means there is a chance for Sunday, but if he doesn’t make Sunday then I’ll assume he’ll be right for after that."

Attack - Son, Johnson, Solanke

Dominic Solanke could also feature in Tottenham's starting line-up after recovering from an ankle problem. He returned to training earlier this week and is likely to be thrown straight in, given the difference he will make to Tottenham's hopes of victory.

The former Bournemouth man will almost certainly be supported by Brennan Johnson and Son Heung-min in the wide positions. Richarlison will not be involved after picking up an injury in training, which could keep him out of action for a number of weeks.

Tottenham predicted XI vs Arsenal (4-3-3) - Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison; Son, Johnson, Solanke.