Ange Postecoglou’s decision not to have a set piece coach has come back to haunt him once again in the north London derby.
Arsenal went 1-0 up in the second half through Gabriel, with the defender firing in a bullet header from Bukayo Saka‘s corner.
Sunday’s goal will have felt like deja vu for everyone.
That’s because two of Arsenal’s goals in their last outing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came from corners, when they beat their rivals 3-2.
After their latest outings, three of Arsenal’s last four Premier League goals against rivals Tottenham have been from corners.
Only three of their previous 88 north London derby league goals had been from corners before this.
Despite being unable to keep corner specialists Arsenal at bay last time out, Postecoglou doubled down on not being phased by his side’s set piece issues – quoting Billy Joel.
“I’m not interested,” he said in May. “Never have been. Not in the least.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been questioned about set-pieces in my coaching career.
“There is an underlying reason for that which I’m very, very comfortable with.
“To quote Billy Joel, you may be right, I may be crazy, but it’s maybe a lunatic you’re looking for.”
And he added: “Eventually I will create a team that has success and it won’t be because of working on set-pieces.”
3
3
He also does not want a set piece coach.
But fast forward to September, and talkSPORT’s reporter for the game Dean Ashton believes Spurs have to do something about their set-piece problem.
The former England striker said: “It’s Tottenham’s weak spot, every team targets Vicario.
“From inside the six yard box, Gabriel is one of the best. Vicario cannot react as he’s stuck on his line.”
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining ‘The DUGOUT’ – our new listener panel.
We’re all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!
Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.
Just by joining, you’ll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that
To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please click here.
