Mikel Arteta makes 'ugly' Arsenal admission amid Paul Merson verdict on winning goal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits his side had to do ‘ugly things’ to beat Tottenham amid controversy over the winning goal. The Gunners were far from their best but ground out an away derby win over Spurs in the absence of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Gabriel Magalhaes scored the winner in the second half, heading home a corner from inside the box. Tottenham defender Cristian Romero appeared to be shoved in the lead up to the goal but ultimately should have done better, while Vicario certainly could have helped out, remaining on his line despite the ball falling inside the six-yard box.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson said of the incident on Sky Sports: “I would be disappointed if I didn't get a foul.  Romero is in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending. You have to be side on, seeing the ball and the player. But I would expect a foul."

After the game, Arteta spoke about Arsenal’s narrow win and his pride over his side showing their ‘ugly’ side. "The resilience that we showed,” he said. “We knew it would be a tough match and that made it easier. They create an unbelievable atmosphere. We should have done more in the first half, but we knew we were a bit threat on set plays and we knew we could hurt them. 

"We weren't our best with the ball today, we did a lot of simple things wrong that didn't allow us to have that continuity. They jump and press every single ball which makes it difficult. The way we defended was so strong. We want to play a different game, especially without the ball in different areas of the pitch, but they have a difficult structure to match up against. We were exposed.

"It's not putting pressure on the goalkeeper, it's heading the ball, it's what we've done. Creating the right timings to score the goals. It's a real compliment to the team. Any player in any area of the pitch is ready to do what a lot of people call 'the ugly things' and they enjoy to do that part of the game. Then you start to be a complete team to win in any context. I'm delighted, because the team over a season has to go over a lot of hurdles. It was difficult because we have lost a lot of important players for us. Those who waited for the chance trained and behaved in the right manner. This is the result.

Postecoglou admission

Spurs boss Postecoglou focused on what his side could have done better after the game rather than any controversy. He told Sky Sports: "The football was there, we dominated the game. It was the lack of details and we conceded two goals last season to set pieces and today is also about set pieces.  That's the details that change results in big games. It's a painful result and I'm sure the fans are very, very disappointed.

"We need to improve, 100 per cent yeah, and move on. In tough moments, we have to stick together. We are getting in the final third, we are making the right shots and right decisions. But the players have to take responsibility because that's the hardest part. We showed it in training and in the games, we need to be more clinical. Early in the season, it's a tough moment definitely. We have to stick together and then if we get good results, we will bounce back stronger. We have to take responsibility, there's nothing else to say. The belief is there, the football is there. We have to be more clinical.”