Tottenham Hotspur have been enduring a difficult start to the new Premier League season, and while the international break gave them an opportunity to regroup and recover, the tough start has continued with Arsenal coming down to White Hart Lane to take all three points.
The Gunners came into the game with almost everyone ruling them out, not because of their capabilities but owing to the fact that they missed Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice made it difficult for Mikel Arteta’s side. However, they responded splendidly to the adversities as they took the win at N17.
Spurs clinical struggles against Arsenal
Arsenal were clinical when the chance presented itself, and their defence ensured that Spurs attackers didn’t have much to breathe as they were given low xG chances despite the ocean’s share of possession. The hosts could only generate a 0.74xG against Arsenal yesterday, which is considerably bleak considering how they ‘dominated’ the game.
However, Premier League goalscoring legend Alan Shearer has criticised Tottenham’s £65 million striker Dominic Solanke for a lack of making the most of chances coming his way.
The Newcastle United icon went on to question if the 27-year-old had what it takes to be a top striker for an elite side.
Newcastle icon slams Solanke for missed opportunity
Speaking post-game in the on Premier League Productions (15/09/24 at 2:55 pm), Alan Shearer said:
“You have got ten yards where there is no defender that can get to you. You don’t need three touches which is what he tried to do. The really top players take one touch, move it out of their feet and get the shot away at goal.”
When we look back on the game, Solanke was presented with an opportunity to grab his first goal donning the Spurs badge following Arsenal’s defensive mistake. The 27-year-old could have handed the
hosts the lead and pulled Ange Postecoglou’s side into the driving seat.
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He was under no pressure with mighty ground ahead of him, though he took three touches, just enough for the Gunners defenders to get back and pick the ball from his legs.
Shearer thinks that any top striker would have taken one touch and had an attempt in the second.
In all honesty, Harry Kane would have buried that and Alan Shearer is right about it, Solanke should have tried to create something out of that situation. However, everything is ifs and buts now, it’s pointless speaking about it and Solanke will need to rather use this pressure to show his goal scoring prowess in upcoming games.
Do you think Dom Solalnke belongs to the elites or should Tottenham have signed a safer option like Ivan Toney?
