Tottenham Hotspur's recent form reached a new low as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in a fiercely contested derby. This setback leaves Tottenham just eight points above the relegation zone, with manager Ange Postecoglou expressing his dissatisfaction with the team's performance. Despite Heung-Min Son giving Tottenham an early lead, Arsenal's resilience saw them overturn the deficit through a Dominic Solanke own goal and a strike from Leandro Trossard, narrowing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The match unfolded at a high tempo, reflective of the intense rivalry between the two North London clubs. Heung-Min Son's goal came against the run of play, briefly offering hope for Tottenham. However, Arsenal's determination and tactical prowess soon turned the tide. Solanke's unfortunate own goal brought Arsenal level before Trossard sealed the victory with a decisive strike. Tottenham's response was largely ineffective, with Pedro Porro's stoppage-time shot off the post being their closest attempt at an equalizer.
Ange Postecoglou did not hold back in his criticism of his team's display, labeling it "unacceptable." His frustration was evident as he highlighted their passivity, particularly in the first half, allowing Arsenal to dominate proceedings.
"Not good enough, especially the first half which was way too passive. We allowed Arsenal to take control. I was disappointed with us with and without the ball, allowing them to dictate the tempo. Nowhere near good enough." – Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham's struggles are further compounded by their worrying position in the league standings. With 11 Premier League losses this season, Postecoglou emphasized the need for immediate improvement to steer clear of relegation threats.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his team's aggression and tactical execution, stating:
"We just didn't play near the identity of what I want us to be. We're an aggressive team with and without the ball – we showed that against Liverpool but tonight we were way too passive. That's not acceptable. Second half was a little better but it wasn't enough." – Mikel Arteta
Arteta also acknowledged the importance of reinforcing his squad in January to maintain their pursuit of league leaders Liverpool. The absence of key players Gabi Jesus and Bukayo Saka has been felt, yet Arsenal's ability to adapt and secure crucial victories reflects their championship aspirations.
Postecoglou, meanwhile, called upon his players to reflect on their shortcomings and acknowledge the weight of responsibility they carry, especially on pivotal match days.
"This can't be accepted by anyone at the club, us losing so many games in a league season isn't right. Yes we are asking big jobs but I hope the 18-year-olds [Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall] are hurting as much as anyone else in terms of not being able to deliver on a big day." – Mikel Arteta
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