Postecoglou warned of Tottenham ‘unrest’ after ‘unacceptable’ loss as Declan Rice claims Arsenal could have scored TEN
ANGE POSTECOGLOU was warned of "unrest" in his Spurs camp - after Declan Rice delivered a humiliating verdict on Arsenal's comeback win.
Rice reckons the Gunners "should have scored 10" after leaving Tottenham with one victory in nine Premier League games.
Postecoglou sounded even more downbeat than every other damning assessment of Spurs' 2-1 loss when interviewed afterwards.
And ex-Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon believes the manager would be under much fiercer pressure than he already is were it not for a fine Carabao Cup run.
Spurs take a 1-0 lead to Liverpool for their semi-final second leg on February 6.
But after seeing the shocking slump at the Emirates, Lennon said: "This puts a lot of unrest in that camp.
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"If they weren't in the Carabao Cup semi-finals there would be big problems.
But having needed extra time to see off fifth-tier Tamworth in the FA Cup three days earlier, Postecoglou admitted Tottenham were "nowhere near good enough" against their biggest rivals in the North London derby
Spurs have picked up just nine points from a possible 27, the only win in that run being a 5-0 romp at bottom club Southampton on December 15.
Their fans have also seen only one victory at Arsenal in the past 32 visits.
In fact, a 24-point tally from 21 games this season means Tottenham are closer to Southampton's six-point total than to to the Gunners' 43.
Dominic Solanke's own goal and Leandro Trossard's flashing finish overturned Son Heung-min's opener on Wednesday night.
And Gunners' midfielder Rice said: "That meant more than anything. From the first minute, it was pure domination. You could tell it was a Derby.
"To be honest with you, we were unlucky, we probably should have scored 10 tonight."
Postecoglou was almost as brutal in his own analysis - and blamed himself.
He told TNT Sports: "Nowhere near good enough, especially in the first half. We were too passive. We let Arsenal dictate the game.
"Second half was a little better [but] ... not acceptable.
"Ultimately the responsibility lies with me and how I prepare the players.
Too many losses this year. Too many games getting away from us. It needs to stop.
Ange Postecoglou
"Of course they [defeats] hurt me. Not acceptable. Too many losses this year. Too many games getting away from us. It needs to stop.
"If you give up now, there's no point. Right now we have a big game against Everton this weekend. That's our focus."
Spurs are still eight points clear of the drop zone, and even a point above Manchester United.
But losing on Sunday at the out-of-form Toffees, who hope returning boss David Moyes will turn them around, could drop Postecoglou's men from an embarrassing 13th to 15th.
The Aussie told BBC's Match of the Day: "When we play well and take the game to teams then we are at our best and we didn't do that today."
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But Tottenham's main problem lies more in leaking goals than failing to score them
Spurs have netted 43 times - second only to the 48 of leaders Liverpool - but have conceded 32.
Arsenal player ratings vs Tottenham
By Dan King
ARSENAL came from behind to defeat Tottenham 2-1 in the North London derby.
Son Heung-Min had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play.
But as they have done so often, the Gunners scored from a corner as Gabriel Magalhaes' header was bundled in as an own goal by Dominic Solanke.
Leandro Trossard then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time with an fine finish.
Here's how the players rated...
David Raya - 6
Spectator until kept out Kulusevski shot midway through first half, then beaten by deflection for Son goal. Didn’t make a save in second half.
Jurrien Timber - 6
Solid enough defensively to keep Son Heung-Min mostly quiet but less sure of himself going forward, wasting good chances to cross.
William Saliba - 6
Untroubled until Son’s shot went in off him. Started second half hesitantly but kept his concentration to minimise Tottenham openings.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 8
Brilliant interception to deny Solanke then decisive at other end to force equaliser. Excellent against Solanke twice more in calm and steadfast second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8
Fine pass to play in Sterling set tone for excellent, mature, all-round display from second youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby.
Thomas Partey - 7
Strong presence who won the ball back well, not least ahead of Arsenal’s second goal. But sometimes looked vulnerable to Spurs’ pace on break.
Declan Rice - 7
Covered lots of ground and finally found a good set-piece delivery to create equaliser. Still not quite at his best, but much closer.
Raheem Sterling - 5
Saw plenty of ball, but with little end product, including golden chances at start of both halves. Curiously reluctant to take on his man. Deservedly hooked.
Martin Odegaard - 6
Prompted and probed without finding killer pass but released Trossard for second goal. Missed chance to make it 3-1, fewer signs of return to form than Rice.
Leandro Trossard - 6
Frustrated home fans with lack of killer instinct and poor decisions until he fired Arsenal in front. Did little after break to merit staying on for so long.
Kai Havertz - 4
Barely involved first half apart from nicking ball off Spurs keeper Kinsky. Headed wide from close range early in second. Nothing coming off for him.
SUBS
Gabriel Martinelli (for Sterling, 61) - 5
Slow to get up to speed and contributed little apart from one penetrating run into the box and a blocked shot.
Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 77) - 6
Brought on to shore things up and did it well enough.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly, 87) - 6
Useful legs for dying minutes, almost created chance.
Mikel Merino (for Rice, 87) - 6
Good booking to stop Solanke getting away in stoppage time.