Ivan Toney says he was forced to bite his tongue in the wake of Gabriel Magalhaes' "cringey" social media taunt following Brentford's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Toney was limited to just two shots – totalling 0.14 expected goals (xG) – as Arsenal maintained their fine start to the Premier League season on Sunday, cruising to victory courtesy of goals from William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira.
The win ensured revenge for the Gunners after they began the 2021-22 campaign with a demoralising defeat to the Bees, after which Toney tweeted: "Nice kick about with the boys."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta used that same message to motivate his squad ahead of February's reverse fixture – a 2-1 win for the Gunners – and it was repeated by Gabriel on social media following Sunday's win.
Asked about the jibe, Toney – who is away on international duty with England for the first time – said: "I think once was funny, the second time was a bit cringey, but I bit my tongue. I wanted to reply, and I wanted to nibble but fair play to them, they played very well.
"They're a much better side than what we played before and they are going very well, so fair play to them."
Having scored five league goals already this campaign, Toney earned a maiden England call-up last week.
Toney, who is yet to be capped by the Three Lions at any age level, believes performing for one of the Premier League's less-fancied sides gives that honour extra importance.
"It makes it much more special," he added. "Nobody was called up from Brentford for like 70-plus years and I think if you are good enough, and you are doing your job as a striker, scoring goals and playing well, then why shouldn't you be called up?
"I think I have proved that. Everyone at the club is really proud for me and I can genuinely see that."
Only Erling Haaland (11), Harry Kane and Aleksandar Mitrovic (both six) have outscored Toney in the Premier League this season, but the striker is unsure whether he would replicate his exploits in a more established side.
"It's easy to say that I would be scoring goals, but I think that teams like them dominate possession a lot more, so I think in theory you are more likely to score goals as there is a lot more opportunities coming your way," he added.
"But listen, you still have to put it in the back of the net, so until I am there, who knows?
"Until then I am not sure, but they have quality players assisting them and hopefully one day I will be in their shoes and can be scoring goals like Haaland and Jesus."
Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: Gabriel snatches derby-day win
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal as Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
The defender netted the only goal of the contest after 64 minutes, punishing Spurs for a lapse in concentration from a corner as he drifted away from Cristian Romero to thump in Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross.
The hosts had the better chances in the first half, through Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, but were thwarted by David Raya's saves and some disappointing misses.
Despite Spurs' search for a late equaliser, Arsenal were able to hold out for the win and maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta's side are up to second in the table on 10 points, while Spurs are 13th after suffering their second defeat of the campaign.
Data Debrief: Set-piece specialists
Arsenal have a knack for scoring from set-pieces, and they proved their prowess once more thanks to Gabriel's towering finish.
It is the 23rd goal Arsenal have scored from set-pieces (excluding penalties) since the start of last season, more than any other side, while three of their last four Premier League goals against Spurs have come from corners.
The Gunners secured a sixth consecutive away league win, their best streak since a run of eight between March and September 2013 under Arsene Wenger. They have also now won three consecutive away North London derbies for the first time since September 1988.
Luis Enrique lauds Dembele display ahead of Champions League opener
Luis Enrique showered praise on Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele after his brace kept the defending champions perfect in Ligue 1.
Dembele netted either side of Fabian Ruiz's 73rd-minute strike in PSG's 3-1 win over Brest on Saturday, having overcome Romain Del Castillo's opener.
The Frenchman has already scored as many goals in four league matches this season as he did in 26 encounters last season (three).
Dembele has also scored two headed goals this term, as many as in 211 career league games before that.
He also recorded the most shots on target (five) and touches in the opposition box (12) on Saturday, with his expected goals (xG) tally of 0.76 only bettered by midfielder Marco Asensio (1.08).
"I didn't realise he scored two goals, it was a difficult match against a tough team," Luis Enrique said.
"The least important thing is that he scored two goals, we had many chances for several players to score.
"I've been a Dembele admirer for many years, he's a different player, he comes out on the left and on the right, he has a change of pace, he's intelligent.
"When you are lucky enough to have players of the quality I have, it's a pleasure and a privilege."
PSG kickstart their quest for Champions League glory on Wednesday when they welcome Girona to the Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique was able to rest the likes of Marquinhos, Asensio and Achraf Hakimi ahead of their meeting with the Catalan side, something he was grateful for.
"Versatility is what makes this squad, of course you miss some players," he said.
"But I have seen the same ability to play, we are a young team full of desire and hunger, it's a wonderful feeling.
"We were able to rest several players, but [Lucas] Beraldo and [Milan] Skriniar were sensational.
"Fabian is in great shape as last season and at the Euros, Lee Kang-in was superb, Joao Neves great in attack and defence.
"I am very fortunate to have this kind of team. The goal is that everyone wants to keep winning titles."
Dundee United 0-1 Rangers: Gers close gap to Celtic with narrow win
Rangers got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory away to Dundee United on Sunday, which saw them climb to third in the Scottish Premiership.
Philippe Clement's side are now five points behind second-placed Aberdeen and league leaders Celtic, who inflicted their first defeat of the season last time out.
The match itself was one of few chances, with forward Tom Lawrence scoring the winning goal after just seven minutes.
The goal capped a flowing, attacking move from Rangers that saw Lawrence get on the end of some one-touch passing before carrying the ball through the penalty area and beyond the goalkeeper.
Dundee United were unable to offer much in the way of a comeback, with five off-target shots the sum total of their threat throughout the match.
The match did see 10 yellow cards shown, with Dundee United's Emmanuel Adegboyega's booking for a forceful challenge reviewed by VAR towards the end of the first half. The on-field decision stood, though the defender was substituted at the break.
Data Debrief: Rangers end away day woes
Goalscorer Lawrence had five shots in the match, which is a season-high in the league for any Rangers player.
The visitors will be pleased to get three points, having won just one of their previous seven away games prior to this - their worst run since 2016.
It also means they close some of the gap to Old Firm rivals Celtic, who had opened an eight-point buffer following a 2-0 home win over Hearts on Saturday.
The hosts, meanwhile, failed to register a single effort on target for the first time in a league game since 8 May 2022. Their opponents on that day? Rangers.
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