‘I am very surprised’: Ian Wright shocked by Tottenham star after north London derby defeat to Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur will undoubtedly be nursing their wounds after a tough 1-0 defeat to their bitter rivals, Arsenal, in the North London derby on Sunday. The loss will sting, as it came at a critical juncture for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who have had an inconsistent start to the new Premier League campaign. This recent setback only added to the growing sense of frustration around the club.
Going into the match, Spurs were already under pressure, having lost to Newcastle United in their previous outing. Their form had been patchy, and the significance of the derby clash was heightened by Arsenal’s recent success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Gunners had claimed victories in back-to-back seasons on Tottenham’s home turf, piling the pressure on Spurs to deliver a result this time around. Yet, by the final whistle, the mood among Tottenham fans was one of deflation. The familiar sight of defeat loomed large once again, and recurring issues plagued the team’s performance.
One of the main concerns that has surfaced repeatedly this season is the form of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The Italian shot-stopper has faced criticism for his inability to effectively deal with corners, a flaw that was once again exploited by Arsenal. Football pundit Ian Wright, however, chose to shift his focus away from Vicario, highlighting the defensive lapses of other players, particularly Cristian Romero.
Gabriel Magalhaes capitalized on Tottenham’s vulnerability from set pieces, heading in the game’s only goal from close range. The Brazil international was left unmarked, seizing on a corner that perfectly exposed Tottenham’s frailties. Corners have become something of a kryptonite for Spurs, and Arsenal, boasting one of the best set-piece records in the Premier League, ruthlessly took advantage.
Arsenal’s success in set-piece situations has been a key feature of their play since hiring set-piece coach Nicolas Jover in 2021. Under his guidance, the Gunners have netted 42 goals from set pieces, a testament to their prowess in this department. However, despite Arsenal’s strength, Ian Wright expressed disbelief at Tottenham’s defensive disorganization, particularly calling out Romero for his poor marking.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Wright remarked, “Since Arsenal appointed their set-piece coach, they’ve scored 42 goals from dead-ball situations. Gabriel’s movement was excellent, but I’m really surprised by Romero. For a defender of his quality, it seemed far too easy to move him out of position. I thought there could have been a foul, but not enough to stop the goal. It was a very easy goal for Arsenal to score.”
Romero’s early-season performances have drawn increasing scrutiny. The Argentine defender, a World Cup winner with his national team, has shown his immense quality on the international stage. However, that same level of consistency and commitment has been missing in a Tottenham shirt. His form at the start of the new Premier League season has been alarmingly poor.
Romero’s defensive struggles were evident not only against Arsenal but also in Tottenham’s previous matches. He was heavily criticized for his performance against Newcastle before the international break, and similar concerns were raised in the opening-day draw against Leicester City, where he was at fault for conceding crucial goals.
Tottenham’s issues extend beyond individual errors. Last season, the squad faltered when injuries took their toll, and there are growing fears that a similar situation could arise again this season. With Spurs also competing in European competitions, the added strain on the squad could expose their vulnerabilities even further. If injuries hit key players or performances don’t improve, Tottenham could find themselves in deeper trouble as the season progresses.
The pressure is mounting on Ange Postecoglou to address these ongoing problems, particularly in defense. While Romero’s poor form has been a focal point, the team’s overall organization, especially when defending set pieces, remains a significant concern. If Tottenham are to bounce back from this disappointing defeat and challenge for top honors this season, they will need to resolve these issues quickly.