Tottenham Hotspur took a knee after defeating Arsenal in the 193rd ‘North London Derby’. Apart from the result, he was overwhelmed in terms of performance and lost his face properly. Son Heung-min started, but was silent as he missed a decisive chance.
Tottenham lost 0-2 in the home game of round 20 of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2022-2023 season against Arsenal held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England at 1:30 am (Korean time) on the 16th.
Tottenham, who was defeated that day, put a brake on their winning streak, and their unbeaten streak of 7 home games against Arsenal based on the official game was broken. The ranking remained at 5th place (10 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses, 33 points), and the gap with Manchester United (38 points) in 4th place widened to 5 points. On the other hand, Arsenal, who won, consolidated its position in first place (15 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 47 points).
Son Heung-min started as a left-sided striker that day and played full-time. He had several chances from the front, including 4 shots and 1 effective shot, but was silent. In particular, the challenge for the 7th goal of the season failed as he missed a decisive one-on-one chance in front of the gate.
Previously, Tottenham took a knee in October of last year when it lost to Arsenal in the first North London derby 1-3 this season. Because of this, the will to take revenge through victory was strong. Moreover, the motivation was clear as it had to narrow the gap with the 4th place, the last line to advance to the European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League (UCL).
Antonio Conte (Italy) coach also said, 스포츠토토 “Arsenal deserves to be in the lead. They are really strong and excellent.” We will produce good results,” he promised to win.
As expected, coach Conte came out with a back-three tactic. At the forefront, Son Heung-min, Harry Kane, and Dejan Kulusevski formed a triangular formation. In the midfield, Ryan Sessegnon, Pierre-Emile Hoivier, Pape Sar, and Matt Doherty worked together. The defensive line was formed by Clement Lenglet, Eric Dier and Christian Romero. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Tottenham seemed to maintain a tight balance in the beginning, but gradually gave Arsenal the initiative and conceded the first goal. In the 14th minute of the first half, after Bukayo Saka broke through the box from the right flank, the shot he hit was deflected by Sessegnon’s foot and headed for the goal, but Lloris could not hit it properly and went into the goal.
Immediately, Tottenham responded by launching a counterattack. In the 18th minute of the first half, Sessegnon sensibly stabbed a forward pass, and Son Heung-min, who quickly penetrated in front of the gate, took a one-on-one chance. However, the shot was blocked by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
As time passed, Tottenham, who completely gave up possession, was on the defensive. I had to just watch Arsenal’s onslaught. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Martin Odegaard’s powerful left-footed shot was cleared by goalkeeper Lloris. Three minutes later Thomas Parti’s shot hit the right post.
In the end, Tottenham dedicated an extra run. In the 36th minute of the first half, Oedegor’s low and fast shot from the front of the arc circle was accurately placed in the bottom right corner. Tottenham were unable to score a goal in the remaining time and finished the first half trailing 0-2.
Needing three goals to win, Tottenham rushed at the start of the second half. In the 3rd minute of the second half, after Kulusevski hit into the box, the shot went over the top of the goal. Two minutes later, Kane, who received a pass from Kulusevski, tried a powerful shot, but goalkeeper Ramsdale threw himself and cleared it.
Tottenham’s offensive continued. In the 7th minute of the second half, Kane stabbed a forward pass, and Sessegnon’s shot rushing in front of the goal was once again blocked by goalkeeper Ramsdale. Arsenal did not stand still. In the 24th minute of the second half, Eddie Nketia’s shot, which received an early cross from Granit Xhaka in a counterattack chance, was blocked by goalkeeper Lloris.
Conte has made a change. In the 26th minute of the second half, he removed Doherty and added Hishalli Song to increase his offensive resources. Five minutes later, Ivan Perisic and Yves Bisuma were put in instead of Sar and Sessegnon. Tottenham missed a crucial opportunity. In the 39th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min’s shot, which received Kane’s pass, went off the top of the goal. In the end, Tottenham could not laugh as they lost 0-2.