Alan Shearer hails ‘magnificent’ Arsenal duo after gutsy win against Tottenham | Football

Despite going into the north London derby without key duo Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Arsenal dug deep to secure a vital win away from home.

Mikel Arteta’s side were under pressure for large swathes of the game but defended resolutely before Gabriel’s thumping header earned the Gunners their third successive away win against Spurs.

But it wasn’t just the goal that the Brazillian earned plaudits for, with Shearer singling out his defensive presence – alongside centre-back partner Saliba – for Arsenal’s win.

‘They are big, they are strong, and they don’t mind a battle. In fact, they love a battle and a challenge,’ the former England striker told Premier League Productions.

Al full-time, Arteta was also keen to praise his side’s dogged willingness to grind out a result.

‘It was a tough week, and instead of finding any little excuses or arguments to do that – the opposite, face the challenge, play with courage, acknowledge our qualities and what we have to be able to do to win a game, and we’ve actually done it,’ he said

‘In order to love the game and win, you have to do a lot of things – sometimes people call them ugly.

‘Enjoying doing those ugly things is a big compliment of this team right now, and when you’re able to normally, you get a good gift.’

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