fans have just noticed Ben White moment with James Maddison during wild Gabriel goal celebrations, and it could mean more
Arsenal fans couldn’t help but notice a heated exchange between Ben White and James Maddison during the celebrations following Gabriel Magalhães’ decisive goal in the North London Derby against Tottenham. The Gunners secured a crucial 1-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, thanks to Gabriel’s second-half header, which sealed the win and continued Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
The match itself was a fiery affair, with tensions boiling over between the rival clubs. Gabriel’s goal came in the 68th minute when he rose above the Spurs defense to head home a corner, leaving Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario helpless as the ball sailed into the net. The celebration that followed, however, became a talking point as Arsenal fans spotted a subtle but intense moment between two England internationals: Ben White and James Maddison.
As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, White, full of adrenaline, turned to Maddison, clenching his fists in a show of pure emotion. He seemed to direct his celebration in Maddison’s direction, which many Arsenal fans interpreted as a personal moment of rivalry between the two. After the brief stare-down, White turned away and joined the rest of his teammates to continue celebrating the goal. The interaction added another layer of drama to an already tense match, highlighting the competitive edge that comes with the North London Derby.
The match itself was far from calm, with referee Jarred Gillett issuing seven yellow cards in the first half alone. This tied a Premier League record for bookings in a single half, with five Tottenham players, including Vicario, being cautioned. The physicality of the encounter showed the intensity of the rivalry, with both sides desperate for bragging rights.
Tottenham’s frustrations were evident throughout the match, and they had little to celebrate after the final whistle. Ange Postecoglou’s side has had a shaky start to the season, managing just one win from their opening four fixtures. With only four points on the board, Spurs now sit in 13th place in the Premier League standings, already six points adrift of Arsenal. This underwhelming start to the campaign has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.
One player who has been singled out for criticism is James Maddison. Despite being a key signing for Tottenham in the summer, the former Leicester City midfielder has struggled to make the kind of impact expected of him. Spurs legend Rafael van der Vaart didn’t hold back in his assessment of Maddison’s performances so far this season. Speaking to BetMGM, via Goal, Van der Vaart expressed his disappointment, saying, “He’s just a player who I will come to the stadium for because I really like him. But to make an even bigger impact, that passion and killer mentality need to be there. Maybe I’m wrong, but there are too many games where I’ve thought, ‘Okay, he can do more.'”
Van der Vaart’s comments have echoed the concerns of many Spurs fans who feel that Maddison, while talented, has yet to fully deliver on his potential since arriving in North London. His skill on the ball and ability to score from midfield are unquestionable, but he has yet to consistently influence games the way he did at Leicester.
As the season progresses, the pressure will be on Maddison and Tottenham to turn their fortunes around, especially if they hope to keep pace with their North London rivals. Arsenal, on the other hand, continue to build momentum, and this latest victory only adds to their growing confidence. The win not only secured three points but also gave the Gunners a psychological edge in the fierce battle for North London supremacy.
The moment between White and Maddison will likely be remembered as a small but significant part of the broader rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham, a rivalry that never fails to deliver drama, intensity, and emotion on and off the pitch.