Ange Postecoglou Criticizes Tottenham’s Poor Form After Arsenal Defeat

Key Points:

• Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal matches their record for most defeats after 21 games.
• Spurs have only two wins in their last 11 Premier League games.
• Postecoglou calls for immediate improvement and a return to the team’s identity.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has expressed his frustration with his team’s current form following a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday. The result marked Spurs’ 11th defeat in 21 Premier League games, equaling the club’s unwanted record from the 1997/98, 2003/04, and 2008/09 seasons.

The loss leaves Tottenham languishing in 13th place, just eight points above the relegation zone. Their recent run includes only two victories in their last 11 league matches, prompting Postecoglou to demand an urgent response.

Postecoglou’s Post-Match Comments

“This kind of form cannot be accepted by anyone at the club,” Postecoglou admitted after the game.

“The first half was way too passive; we allowed Arsenal to control the game. I’m really disappointed with our performance both with and without the ball. They dictated the tempo, and we let them. The second half was slightly better, but still nowhere near good enough.”

He added: “That’s not who we are. It’s not how I set up the team to play. Sitting back and letting Arsenal dictate the game is unacceptable. We’re supposed to be aggressive, both in possession and when pressing, but we didn’t show that tonight.”

Need for Change

Postecoglou acknowledged there is no quick fix for Tottenham’s struggles but emphasized the importance of hard work and a renewed commitment to their identity.

“There’s no magic cure,” he said. “We need to go into battle on Sunday and start turning things around. The results and our form in the league have been far below the standard expected, and that has to change.”

The manager pointed to the team’s aggressive performance against Liverpool earlier in the season as a benchmark but lamented the lack of consistency:

“We didn’t play anywhere close to the identity I want for this team. Against Liverpool, we showed aggression and intent, but tonight we were far too passive. That’s not acceptable.”

The Road Ahead

Tottenham will look to bounce back against relegation-threatened Everton next weekend, followed by a home game against a struggling Leicester City to close out January. February’s fixtures, however, appear more challenging, with matches against Brentford, Manchester United, and Manchester City on the horizon.

Postecoglou remains hopeful but insists that the turnaround must begin immediately if Spurs are to salvage their season.