What Mikel Arteta got right as controversial goal helps Arsenal win North London derby

Arsenal took all three points on Wednesday evening as they beat their bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur to close the gap to Liverpool at the top of the league

Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

21:56, 15 Jan 2025Updated 22:17, 15 Jan 2025

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Emirates Stadium on January 15, 2025 in London, England.

Arsenal have done the double over Spurs(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have claimed bragging rights in a controversial north London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur took the lead through Son Heung-min - and it looked like an upset could be on the cards on a freezing evening in the capital. However, the Gunners fired level through a usual source, a corner kick.

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But all wasn't as it seemed with replays showing it should have never been a corner. And as Spurs fans moaned about Arsenal's first goal, Leandro Trossard picked the ball up drove at the Tottenham defence and hammered the ball into the back of the net. 2-1.

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And Daily Star Sport has a look at what Mikel Arteta got right in the clash.

Corner kicks

Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice reacts prior to shoot a corner during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 15, 2025.

Arsenal again scored from a corner(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

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It feels like we've been here before, but there isn't a weapon in the Premier League, at the moment, quite like Arsenal's corner kicks.

And you can debate all night long if VAR should be able to intervene and disallow the corner - the fact of the matter is it stood. And if Premier League teams can't wise up and start defending Arsenal's corner kicks they could be heading their way to a title.

And how do you stop them? That's for Premier League managers to find out.

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Trusting Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrates after the second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Emirates Stadium on January 15, 2025 in London, England.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was a standout performer(Image: Getty Images)

"I love it when kids come into the game and treat it like they're playing football at school," Rio Ferdinand joked on comms for TNT Sports.

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Myles Lewis-Skelly was given the huge task of starting at left-back for the Gunners - defending against an in-form Dejan Kulusevski and an overlapping Pedro Porro. And he passed the test with flying colours, showing maturity beyond his years on the ball.

"Don’t think I’ve seen an 18-year-old as strong as Myles Lewis-Skelly since Reece James. Experienced pros are bouncing off him," one fan posted. While a second shared: "If the rest of the team could play with the quality and determination of Myles Lewis-Skelly, that would help so much..."

Subbing Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling of Arsenal crosses the ball whilst under pressure from Archie Gray of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Emirates Stadium on January 15, 2025 in London, England.

Raheem Sterling struggled in the north London derby(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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There was an audible groan around the Emirates Stadium around the hour mark when Raheem Sterling picked up the ball and turned around, slowing down the Gunners' attack.

It wasn't the first time Sterling had slowed down the attack - but it would be the last. Mikel Arteta was quick to recognise Sterling just wasn't having his best game, hooking the Englishman for Gabriel Martinelli.

"Sterling 100% slows it down, he’s a mistake waiting to happen. The crowd knows it, the commentators have said it, Arteta has to see it," one fan said before the substitution. While a second posted: "Arteta's had enough of Sterling!"

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Making it work without a striker

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber (left) and Tottenham Hotspur's Djed Spence battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday January 15, 2025.

Arsenal played without a No.9(Image: PA)

Mikel Arteta made it work, on Wednesday evening, without a striker - and it's largely thanks to Leandro Trossard.

Trossard's controversial role in the Gunners first goal saw him win a corner despite the ball coming off him last. However, there could be no doubt about the second as the Belgian put his side on his back and scored a screamer.

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"Odegaard just needs a proper striker in front of him and he’s good. Trossard has been really good," one fan posted. While a second said: "How has Trossard taken that shot? Who needs a striker?"