Postecoglou Faces Set Piece Struggles as Tottenham Falls to Arsenal

LONDON: In a tightly contested north London derby, Tottenham Hotspur faced yet another setback as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal. The match, which was expected to be a fierce battle, was ultimately decided by a set piece, a recurring issue for Tottenham under the management of Ange Postecoglou. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka delivered a corner in the 64th minute, allowing defender Gabriel to score with a powerful header, sealing the victory for Mikel Arteta's side.

This defeat marks a troubling trend for Tottenham, as three of Arsenal's last four Premier League goals against them have come from corners. Since the start of last season, Tottenham has conceded 18 goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, a figure only surpassed by Nottingham Forest. This alarming statistic has led to increased scrutiny of Postecoglou's tactics, particularly regarding set-piece defense.

After the match, Postecoglou addressed the media, expressing his frustration with the narrative surrounding his team's defensive weaknesses. He stated, "I know, for some reason people think I don't care about set pieces, and it's a narrative that you can keep going on for ages and ages." He emphasized that the team works diligently on set pieces, just as they do with other aspects of their game. Despite the loss, he remained optimistic, saying, "It's my burden to carry mate, and I'm happy to do that. Like I've always said, for me there's a bigger picture, there's a play here that's much more important than the finer details of us getting to where we want to."

Before the derby, Postecoglou had pointed out that his team's four points from three games could easily have been nine, given their performances against Leicester City, Everton, and Newcastle United. In the early stages against Arsenal, Tottenham displayed fluidity and creativity, but as the match progressed, they struggled to create clear chances and became increasingly vulnerable to counterattacks.

Despite having 15 goal attempts during the match, Tottenham's attack was stifled by Arsenal's experienced defense, even in the absence of key players like Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard. Son Heung-min's influence waned, and new signing Dominic Solanke, who cost £65 million, appeared frustrated as the midfield failed to provide the necessary support to break down Arsenal's defense. Postecoglou lamented, "It was very disappointing. It's been the story of our season and we lack a bit of belief and conviction in the final third."

Last season, Tottenham enjoyed a strong start, winning eight of their first ten Premier League matches, marking their best beginning since the 1960-61 season. However, this time around, they are struggling to find their rhythm and are already falling behind in the race for the top positions in the league.

Postecoglou reflected on the current season, stating, "When I look at the four games in isolation this year, the football is probably more consistent and compelling than our first four games last year but obviously our results don't reflect that." This sentiment highlights the challenges of football, where performance does not always translate into results.

As Tottenham navigates this difficult phase, it is crucial for the team to address their defensive frailties, particularly from set pieces. With the right adjustments and a focus on building confidence in the attacking third, there is hope that they can turn their fortunes around. Football is a game of ups and downs, and with perseverance, Tottenham can aim to reclaim their position among the league's elite.