Imagine having Fewer touches than Vicario Ange told he must now instantly drop 5/10 Spurs dud after the NLD
Tottenham Hotspur have had a lackluster start to their Premier League campaign, securing just one win so far this season. Their lone victory came against Everton, a side already flirting with relegation. Meanwhile, Spurs have stumbled against tougher opposition, losing to both Newcastle United and Arsenal, and managing only a draw against newly-promoted Leicester City. While there’s no denying that Ange Postecoglou has injected more excitement into Tottenham’s play, their summer transfer activity didn’t significantly bolster the starting lineup, and the team seems to be suffering for it now.
Despite the mixed results, there was a sense of optimism leading into their clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Arsenal, missing several key players, including Declan Rice due to suspension, Mikel Merino with an injury, and captain Martin Odegaard sidelined after suffering an ankle injury during international duty, seemed vulnerable. It was a golden opportunity for Spurs to take advantage of their rivals’ weakened squad. However, they failed to capitalize.
The match’s turning point came through Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, which has become a hallmark of their success. Gabriel Magalhães, the imposing Brazilian defender, found himself unmarked in the Tottenham penalty area during a corner from Bukayo Saka. Rising above everyone, Gabriel powered a header into the back of the net, leaving Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario helpless. For Tottenham, this was another defensive lapse that highlighted their ongoing struggles with set pieces, an area where Arsenal has excelled.
This defeat has sent Tottenham back to the drawing board as they urgently need to reassess their approach. One area of concern for Postecoglou is the inconsistent performances of some of his key players, and it’s here that the problems are becoming more apparent.
In their previous game against Newcastle, Tottenham’s defense unraveled due to the erratic play of Cristian Romero. The Argentine center-back was at fault for both goals, as his aggressive pressing left large gaps for Newcastle’s attackers to exploit. Against Arsenal, while Romero didn’t rush out of position as blatantly, he was again guilty of poor marking, allowing Gabriel to score the decisive goal from the corner.
Romero’s place in the starting lineup seems secure despite his mistakes, but the same cannot be said for all of Spurs’ attacking players. One of the most disappointing performers in the Arsenal game was Brennan Johnson, the young Welsh winger who arrived with much fanfare but has struggled to deliver in a Spurs shirt. Johnson, known for his pace and flair, was ineffective against Arsenal’s defense, particularly when up against Jurrien Timber on Tottenham’s right flank.
Johnson’s lack of impact was evident in the stats: he made just one key pass, took four shots, and completed only half of his dribbles. To make matters worse, he had fewer touches of the ball (26) than goalkeeper Vicario (31), a worrying sign for a player expected to be a creative force. He also lost four of his six duels, highlighting his struggles against Arsenal’s resolute defense. The Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick was blunt in his assessment, awarding Johnson a 5/10 rating and noting that the winger was “well-handled by Jurrien Timber.”
Timber, Arsenal’s Dutch defender, proved to be a formidable opponent for Johnson. The former Ajax player was dribbled past only once throughout the entire match and led the game with three tackles, showing just how effectively he neutralized the Welshman’s threat.
Johnson has been a regular starter in Postecoglou’s lineup this season, but his lack of goal contributions is becoming a growing concern. As we approach the middle of the 2024/25 season, it seems only a matter of time before he finds himself benched if his performances don’t improve. Waiting in the wings are Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert, both of whom could provide a much-needed spark in attack. Either player would be a viable replacement for Johnson when Spurs face Coventry in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
Tottenham are at a critical juncture in their season. While their attacking style has been more entertaining under Postecoglou, their inconsistency and lack of defensive discipline are glaring issues that must be addressed. With tougher fixtures on the horizon, Spurs need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid slipping further down the table.