Arsenal: Gabriel derby winner against Tottenham should not have stood, admits Paul Merson | OneFootball

Gunners hero believes Spurs defender Cristian Romero was fouled in the build-up to decisive second-half header

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has admitted that his former side’s winning goal against Tottenham likely should not have stood.

The title-chasing Gunners claimed bragging rights in the north London derby once again on Sunday afternoon despite missing a number of key players through injury, recording a third successive away league win over their fiercest rivals for the first time since 1988.

A typically tense and feisty clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was ultimately settled with just over 25 minutes to play, when Arsenal defender Gabriel lost marker Cristian Romero before rising to emphatically head Bukayo Saka’s corner beyond Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from close range to spark wild celebrations both on the pitch and in the away end.

However, there were questions as to whether Gabriel had fouled Romero with a push in the back before notching what proved to be the winning goal in N17 - with Gunners legend Merson conceding that he expected a free-kick to be given as he also criticised the Argentine’s defending.

Winning goal: Gabriel rose highest to power home for Arsenal against Tottenham in the derby

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul,” he said on Sky Sports. “I’d be disappointed. He’s in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending.

“He’s a centre-half, he’s an international, even I know - and I don’t even play at the back - that you’ve got to be side-on. You’ve got to be seeing the ball and your player.

“To start off with you’ve got to be a hand length away, and he’s standing with him. I do think... I’d expect a foul. I would expect a foul.”