3 standout players from Arsenal's 1-0 win in North London Derby

It was ugly but necessary from Arsenal in Sunday's North London Derby, and a Gabriel header ensured they escaped the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points.

Mikel Arteta has cultivated a battle-hardened group that can win when the going get's tough. They played without the ball for much of Sunday's game, but backed themselves to shut out a spritely but ultimately blunt Tottenham attack.

This was a big-boy showing from the Gunners, whose collective effort was immense. However, there were a few individuals who stood out on the big occasion once more, so let's celebrate them.

1. Gabriel & William Saliba

William Saliba is the slightly younger and more stylish defender who gets plaudits galore, but I thought Gabriel outperformed the Frenchman last season and should be regarded as equally important to the Arteta project.

In tandem, there might not be a superior partnership in world football.

The pair were immense in the derby and I'm going to list them as a duo rather than individually given the synergy with which they operated in N17. Saliba was crucial in extinguishing fires when Tottenham won the ball back high up the pitch, single-handedly shunning the Lilywhites when they poured forward following a turnover.

His harsh booking failed to disrupt a magnificent display, but it was match-winner Gabriel who stole the headlines on this occasion. His header from close range decided a contest of fine margins.

However, Gabriel's performance was not merely about his antics in the opposition box. The Brazilian produced a masterclass in front post defending, constantly preventing Tottenham's crosses from reaching Dominic Solanke. His positioning was spot-on throughout, allowing him to make a game-high eight clearances.

Gabriel has produced many a time in an Arsenal shirt, but this may well be remembered as his finest performance for the club.

2. Jurrien Timber

I don't have to data to back this up, but when they did venture wide, Tottenham seemed intent on attacking this demon in the second-half - perhaps believing they could bait Timber into picking up a second booking.

The Dutchman never bit, with his one-on-one defending masterful throughout. His technique and speed ensured Brennan Johnson was kept on a leash, while the tricky and more varied Wilson Odobert also failed to get much change out of the former Ajax star. Perhaps Ange should've considered attacking Ben White, who was enduring an off day, with Odobert during the closing stages.

Oh, and Timber's challenge on Pedro Porro was barely a booking, so let's not get into tiresome red card debates.

With the ball, Timber offered glimmers in the final third, enjoying his ventures deep into the left half-space where he was found by Gabriel Martinelli on a couple of occasions. Like so many to graduate from the Ajax school, Timber is remarkably fluid with the ball at his feet.

Even when playing an apparently unfamiliar role, Timber has such a notable impact in every phase of the game. He's brilliant.

3. Kai Havertz

I didn't want this to be all about defenders, because that would give the impression that Arsenal merely clung on for three points. Sure, they ceded control and territory more than usual, but the Gunners' frontline also played a crucial role in their triumph.

Bukayo Saka assisted Gabriel's header, Gabriel Martinelli was a threat in behind and a dogged runner defensively, while Kai Havertz was his usual pesky self.

Arsenal, as they did in this fixture back in April, went long and direct, often seeking the Belgian's big old head. Havertz won eight of his 13 aerial duels (a respectable 61.5% success rate), and Micky van de Ven did not enjoy his constant harrying when the Gunners opted to press high. Havertz almost caught the Dutchman in possession on a couple of occasions.

He may not have had the greatest influence in the final third, coming close with a header just once, but that's beyond the point. His ability in the air allowed Arsenal to evade Tottenham pressure, with his work out of possession contributing to the Gunners' stout display overall.

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