Tottenham Hotspur were left reeling after a humbling loss to Arsenal in the North London derby. When it’s been over five months since your club scored the lowest xG of any Premier League match this season. The match took place on October 1, 2023, at the Emirates Stadium, where Spurs failed to find the back of the net, leaving them frustrated and with much to analyze moving forward.
That contest was typified by an absence of attacking threat from Spurs, who recorded an xG of only 0.21. This was in stark contrast to Arsenal’s 2.15 xG, reflecting their offensive dominance for the entirety of the match. Tottenham’s inability to convert opportunities into meaningful chances was evident as they struggled to penetrate the Gunners’ defense.
Despite a strong start to the season, Spurs have now recorded two consecutive defeats in the league, raising concerns about their attacking strategies. This team had proved themselves early on to be a transcendent team. Their recent move to more of a defensive counter-attack might have hamstrung their ability to score. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou will himself be under the microscope over the next week or so as he attempts to strike a balance in his squad’s approach.
After an early goal from Arsenal, the tone for the day was set. They took advantage of the openings that Spurs’ defense allowed. By simply controlling the pace of the game, they succeeded in stripping their opponents of dangerous threats. The Gunners’ midfield completely controlled the match tempo, letting Arsenal dictate pace and flow of the game.
Fans and analysts alike were quick to point out that the gap in xG is indicative of a larger problem brewing under the surface for Tottenham. Individual player performances were underwhelming. The biggest issue is their overall tactical execution that will make it hard to adjust when they see stronger opponents.
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