More Questions Than Answers After Latest Derby Defeat

Arsenal reignited their Premier League title charge by coming from behind to claim a crucial 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham took the lead in the 25th minute. Heung-min Son pounced on a poor clearance from a corner, before rifling home a well-taken volley into the bottom corner.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s side capitulated five minutes before half time. Arsenal’s remarkable set-piece prowess helped them score twice in a matter of moments to turn the game on its head.

Neither side really hit their stride, but they produced an entertaining end-to-end contest littered with plenty of talking points. Here are three things that stood out from the derby.

Postecoglou is on Shaky Ground

It is a bit unfair to place all the blame on Postecoglou when you put the Tottenham’s current situation into context, but the Australian is not entirely blameless.

The Spurs squad has been decimated by injuries, but the Australian manager has refused to adapt his brand of football to the strengths of the available players.

His rigidity and determination to stick with his system are driving the club alarmingly closer to the relegation zone, which has called his decision-making into question.

However, the board are reluctant to cut him loose. They have chosen to support him through these turbulent times. It remains to be seen whether that is the right decision.

What is evident is that Postecoglou needs help on the pitch. However, Spurs are yet to reinforce any of the areas currently plagued with injuries. The lack of urgency is baffling.

Spurs’ current squad simply isn’t equipped to execute Postecoglou’s demanding style of play, and the longer this continues, the worse things will get for the club.

Tottenham’s Inconsistency Rears its Ugly Head

Tottenham’s crippling inconsistency reared its ugly head once again at Arsenal.

The defeat means Spurs are still looking for their first Premier League win at the Emirates in 15 years. While pre-match expectations were low, Spurs league position is grim.

Their odds of finishing in the European places are at an all-time low, and their inconsistency could also have a massive impact on their popularity among bettors.

Even Postecoglou’s massive fanbase in his native Australia may be forced to weigh up their options in the betting market, with the manager’s side proving to be unreliable.

Tottenham have been a popular pick on the sportsbooks featured on comparison website Only Racing, but punters may switch their attention to other teams if they do not improve.

Postecoglou has undeniably been dealt a terrible hand and the odds are against him. Tottenham are dealing with a crippling injury crisis but languishing in the bottom half of the table is poor.

Yves Bissouma Must Go

Midfielder Yves Bissouma must be one of the first names on the chopping block in the summer after gifting Arsenal their second goal.

He had all the time and space in the world to release the ball to Djed Spence but attempted a needless turn that allowed Thomas Partey to take the ball off him and start a transition.

Bissouma’s all-round performance in the middle of the park was diabolical. He won just one of his four ground duels and failed to complete any of his two dribble attempts.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion ace put in a disastrous shift at the heart of Postecoglou’s team, and not for the first time this season.

Bissouma is error-prone and unfit to anchor the midfield. He has given away two penalties this season and does not offer much in the engine room except for unacceptable mistakes.

He still has one year left on his contract, but he needs to be the first player out of the door in the summer if Spurs are serious about stepping up next season.