Arteta glows after derby win to launch most demanding of weeks on the road

They didn't have a suspended Declan Rice and skipper Martin Odegaard looks likely to be out for three weeks with an ankle injury picked up on international duty. Not the best time for Arsenal to face trips to local rivals Spurs and title rivals Man City with a midweek visit to Europa League finalists Atalanta sandwiched in between.

So Mikel Arteta was entitled to look pleased with himself after Sunday's 1-0 victory in the North London derby to get this punishing week off to the best possible start.

Gabriel's 64th minute header from a Bukayo Saka corner was enough to secure a third successive win for the Gunners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We know what it means to our club, to our people to win a London derby and we have the power to try to make them very happy, and that makes it very special," the Arsenal boss said.

"We had to suffer because we had to adapt a little bit the plan because of the players we had available.

"It's a tough week coming up and instead of finding any excuses to do that, we did the opposite - we faced the challenge, played with courage and acknowledged the qualities we had to win the game.

"The people we have are thick-skinned They love the game and they love winning and you also have to enjoy to win ugly. It's a big compliment to this team when you are able to do that."

Arteta added: "We won three years in a row here and that's a big thing. I think the players believe already but it will give us a lot of energy and belief.

"I didn't enjoy the problems we've had because I didn't sleep much. I had a super clear plan and then we lose a player and then another player, so I had to completely change it, so it was a great challenge."

He praised Jorginho and Jurrien Timber for coming in with little minutes behind them and getting through 90 minutes - despite cramping in the Italian's case. "They managed to do it for the team," he said. "They were unbelievable, but that's the spirit and the characters that we have that I love.

"Today was a calmer finish than last year because from 0-3 to 2-3 then we were thinking 'this can't happen.' Today I think we looked more composed, better organised and gave very little away."

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said: "It's similar to the other games where we just haven't really had that finish in the front third to take advantage of winning the ball back or getting into the front third. You keep opposition teams in the game when you do that.

"You switch off at a set piece and you pay the price and it was always going to be a tight game with fine margins."

READ A REPORT OF YESTERDAY'S GAME HERE