Not pleasing to the fans at all, Son Heung-min engaged in ‘most deluded interview of the season’ after Spurs lose to Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a frustrating defeat to Arsenal in the latest North London derby, with Son Heung-min’s post-match comments sparking discussion among fans and pundits alike.
The match, held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, saw Spurs fall to a second-half header by Gabriel Magalhães, continuing their struggles with defending set-pieces under manager Ange Postecoglou. The goal came from a corner, marking the third time in four encounters that Arsenal has exploited Tottenham’s weaknesses on set-pieces. This defeat also condemned Spurs to their worst start in a Premier League season in nearly a decade, earning just four points from their opening four matches.
Despite the disappointing result, Postecoglou remained optimistic during his post-match interview. The Australian coach, renowned for his success at Celtic, expressed confidence in his ability to turn things around, emphasizing that he has a track record of winning trophies in his second season at clubs. His comments, however, didn’t entirely ease the concerns of supporters, especially as Tottenham’s vulnerability on set-pieces has persisted, with 16 goals conceded from such situations last season alone.
Son Heung-min’s interview after the game also became a topic of conversation. The 32-year-old forward asserted that Spurs had “dominated” the game, a remark that drew mixed reactions from the fanbase. Some supporters appreciated his optimism, while others accused him of being overly positive, with a few fans labeling his comments as “deluded.”
“We dominated the game, the football was there, we just conceded from a set-piece again,” Son said in his interview with Sky Sports. He went on to express his frustration with the team’s inability to capitalize on their chances, noting, “We did it last season and it is really frustrating. I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%, it’s a tough moment and we have to stick together.”
Son also pointed out the team’s struggles in the final third of the pitch, where they’ve often lacked the finishing touch to convert possession into goals. “We are getting into the final third but the players have to take the responsibility to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical. We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go,” he added, offering reassurance that the season still holds plenty of opportunities for improvement.
As Tottenham continues to face criticism for their defensive frailties, especially from set-pieces, Postecoglou was quick to defend his team’s efforts. The former Celtic manager refused to dwell on the issue, emphasizing that set-pieces are a part of the game they work on consistently. “I know, 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. I understand that,” Postecoglou said in his interview. He acknowledged that the team’s failure to defend the corner led to the defeat, but stressed that Tottenham managed most other aspects of the game well.
“For the most part, we handled them really well today, but we switched off for one and we paid the price. You learn from that and you move on,” Postecoglou continued. He remained adamant that while set-piece defending is important, it is not the only issue the team needs to address. His focus remains on the bigger picture, which includes improving the overall style of play and turning positive football into results.
As the season progresses, Postecoglou faces the challenge of balancing fan expectations with his long-term vision for the club. Despite the current frustrations, the Australian manager is determined to guide Tottenham through this difficult period and deliver the success fans crave. With plenty of games still to be played, both Postecoglou and Son seem hopeful that the team can overcome these early setbacks and rise to the challenges ahead. However, with growing pressure from supporters and the media, the focus on Tottenham’s defensive record—especially from set-pieces—remains an issue that cannot be ignored for much longer.