Theo Walcott says Tottenham’s decision to field three centre-backs in the North London derby took Arsenal by surprise.
Mauricio Pochettino took the decision to start Kevin Wimmer, Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen in the heart of his defence, a tactic that strangled the Gunners attacking fluency in the second half.
While Wimmer scored an own goal just before half time, Spurs, who entered the match having conceded only one goal from open play, rarely looked like conceding a second to Arsene Wenger’s frustrated side.
“It did, completely,” said Walcott when asked if the visitors’ formation had taken him by surprise.
“Middlesbrough did that against us,” he added. “Lots of teams are starting to do that now, with Chelsea probably the best at doing it at the moment.
“It was difficult to break them down but it was one of those games where there weren’t that many chances. I hit the post and maybe Olivier on another day would’ve had more luck, but it’s probably a good result in the end.”
Sp*rs grabbed an equaliser on 51 minutes when Harry Kane converted from the spot after Laurent Koscielny’s foul on Moussa Dembele.
According to Walcott, the timing of the goal took the momentum away from the Gunners at a crucial point in the match
“The problem was that it was too early in the second half. We normally start the second half better than that and the guys will be disappointed with the way we started it.
“It took us a lot to get going and they had the confidence when they had the penalty. We found it difficult to win the ball back but overall we managed to hold on in there. It’s one of those games where the draw was always going to happen.
He added: “We always want to win these games. It’s very disappointing to not get the win with our home support. The fans were fantastic from kick-off until the end and were behind us all the way.
“We couldn’t get the result unfortunately. They all wanted the bragging rights. These games hurt me more than any other game. When you look at how tight the Premier League is and the teams that are fighting for the Premier League, you probably think this is a good result.”
I think we were totally confused by Spurs line up in the first 25 minutes. I’m pretty sure Iwobi and Theo had been given implicit instructions to nullify Walker and Rose. So with 3 at the back Alexis found himself having to press by himself. This is why it looked like they had all the time in the world to start play and it gave them confidence. I was happy to see us regroup and get better by the end of the half but what really, really frustrated me was that we came out in the 2nd half and froze… Read more »
I completely agree with all of that. It was only when we had a 2/3 minute break in play for an injury about 15/20 minutes in, that I actually saw the Arsenal players grouped together clearly trying to work out how to reorganise themselves as they were visbily pointing at each other and at the pitch, and from where I was in the ground you could see direct instructions coming from Wenger and the coaching staff too. So clearly whatever we had worked on in training was completely out the window in the opening exhanges and nobody knew what to… Read more »
Would overloading up front not have hurt them more? 3 strikers occupying a defender each, with the wing backs creating an overload, with Özil and Xhaka occupying the midfield..? With the 3 at the back becoming more and more common, surely tactical training and awareness would cause them problems
Yeah it may of done – but they obviously weren’t banking on Spurs doing what they did because we did look so lost at times.
You do have to bear in mind that trying to break down a team that basically had zero interest in actually trying to play football is quite a difficult task.
That point is moot, because Suds had the better chances
Errmm.. I don’t think that is entirely true. The best chance of the match without question fell to Iwobi who pee-rolled it into the keepers arms – Walcott also hit the bar in the first half. In the second half, Xhaka had to just dive at Iwobi’s cross and he scores. Spurs only really had the shot from Eriksen which Cech saved. When they hit the bar it was just a goal mouth scramble, it wasn’t a clear cut chance. They had a header in the first half that Kane put wide from an under hit cross.. again it was… Read more »
Thanks for the point. We could’ve lost that game.
Next, get rid of the jinx versus Mourinho!
It was an ok point, but it irks me how Theo is the one saying it. Less than 24 hours after the game no less. If this is the game that ‘hurts him more than any other’ and he can still say that.. I don’t know, maybe he just has incredible self control but my experience in life and sports is that winners are a lot more pissed off after this kind of result. Just once I’d like to read about him storming out of the stadium ignoring the press..
Or you act in a mature manner, compartmentalise the game and improve instead of acting like a petulant child who didn’t get their ice cream.
Are we all talking about Ronaldo here?
He said this right after the game when him and Kane were being interviewed together.
Not an ideal result but I’ll take it. This was another match that showed our current squad is an improvement on last year as I don’t think we would have even managed a draw last season, playing the way we did.
In truth, those hoodlums from the rough end of North London were happy with a draw and that’s the thing that really annoys me, but I’m otherwise appreciative of the point gained, and it really does feel like a point gained.
It dawned on me when Song mooched off the pitch with ample time on the clock that they could win this but they are actually aiming for a draw and what a bunch of muppets they are for it. Bunch of fucking muppets!
No Theo, this is not a good result. Spurs were there for the taking. It was 3 points or nothing.
After the build up and tough talk, you guys go and give such a display.
We have to beat manure and we can do that if we actually show up that day. Wenger hasn’t done too badly in the last 3 meetings against Mourinho, but knowing typical us, Manure and Mou will go all crazy against us.
Manure will be much tougher than spuds.
You are taking yourself and football way to seriously. 3p or nothing? What are you going to do, give Pochettino an offer he cannot refuse?
Not good but not bad either, people are talking like we lost! Agree Spurs were there for the taking and our performance was sub par but the fact that we’re disappointed with the game says a lot for the gulf in quality between the teams. It seems like we figured out their system but putting on Giroud played right into their hands. Their three centre halfs were comfortable in the air and Giroud only had half chances really, meanwhile the movement and pressing that gave them issues in the first half came to an abrupt end. In retrospect, I’d have… Read more »
We are lucky we were playing against a team in terrible form because we were there for the taking. Everytime they had the ball in our half it as just so easy for them. When wanyama turned from a throw, the lead up to the penalty, whenever Son got the ball. There seemed to be a massive amount of room between our midfield and defence. Concerning.
Agree and that’s why I was so shocked by Xhaka’s good stats. I didn’t think he was having a good game, looked like he was competing physically whereas Coq was flying into challenges (though lost out to Dembele for the pen).
You see, this is why we have coaches; to apply tactics when due. Given the high number of offside calls against us in the 1st half, I thought the highline was already bad enough for the idea of a pacy striker to make runs and Giroud could have started the second half. But that’s just me
You want to play a pacey striker when the opponent plays a high line because if they screw up, it’s basically a free 1-on-1 with the ‘keeper.
Makes sense, but they played 3 defenders there and the only time they seemed to screw up was when one scored an OG. I feel better today anyway.
The teams are revealed an hour before the match. Its crazy how he says they were surprised to see it esp in today’s tech savvy world. We were absolutely clueless for the first 20 minutes. Surely they must have had a look at the team sheet once or had some coach inform them about such changes
Easy to say that but with Wimmer, Vertonghen and Dier on the pitch, it would have been easy to assume that Dier would have played as the holding midfielder alongside Wanyama with Dembele pushing forward,and the two fullbacks at full back.
Difficult to judge until the first minute when you see how the side actually lines up on the field.
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m not too fussed about drawing with spurs. To put things into perspective, we are not too far off from the league leaders. I will gladly take as many points as we can this November, draws or wins. we just need to break that mental barrier of always performing poorly in this month.
Is three centre backs the new black? If everyone’s doing it why do we get surprised by it? it took us about 20 minutes to work it out in the first half…I reckon Wenger should go one better and use 4 centre backs…nah…5 centre backs even…that’ll learn’em…still, 1 point is better than a kick in the you know what…onwards and upwards…
Agreed. More concerned that we were “surprised” by the new line up (which is becoming increasingly popular) than the actual result. Seems like we have just advertised to everyone that this is how to frustrate us, & other teams will take note. Hope we work on how to beat this, & work on it fast.
Well done lad! I bet a lot of us are sober this morning. Time to focus on the things that matter not Mata! 😉 COYG!!!
I just don’t buy Theo’s arguments, because it was not the first time we played against teams with the same formation and shred them to pieces whether against United Van Gaal or Chelsea’ Conte or even in Europe numerous times. I personally think the players were not mentally and physically sharp enough.some of key were affected by mid week game (Ozil& Alix) while Iwobi was clearly overwhelmed by the occasion. Let us stop duelling on the past and move, we have another big game in two weeks times, prepare for what going to be very physical game against the most… Read more »
Maybe this interlull comes as a blessing instead of a curse? Our squad players, the “really good ones, but not in the international squads”, can get some rest and be allowed to make the brightest stars shine again in two weeks time. I believe that Cech, Coquelin, Gibbs and the rest are instrumental in making this team tick. If they can step up and provide opportunities for Özil, Alexis and Giroud (who will be away playing Sweden), then maybe our form will rise again? Football is a squad game, it’s not just about the first XI. If most of the… Read more »
Walcott gave this interview after the game together with Harry Kane. I haven’t really seen that before. Maybe it’s just me but it felt so cringe on the part of BT to have players giving interviews together with other opposition players (from Sp*rs no less). I think that the “they compeltely surprised us” part was Walcott being his diplomatic and respectful self, he’s not really going to lay in to them if a Sp*rs player is right beside him in the interview. He probably wouldn’t do it anyways but my point is that BT is a load of shite. Anyways,… Read more »
I thought it was a lovely sly dig at Sp*rs and Chelsea from Theo, particularly given he was next to that mouth breather. Essentially he’s saying they are a clubs similar to the likes of Middlesbrough, only looking to shut up shop and not actually play football. Kane was clearly too thick to pick up on it though.
Its one of those games where its disappointing because we all wanted to win, and in the form we have been, and they have been, we all thought a win was very possible. But equally, looking at form, it was always likely this game would be a draw, because they dont concede many goals, and they don’t score many either. Ultimately, I think that the team looked nervous because I think they felt the pressure not to make mistakes or lose the game and that is pretty understandable. I think that inhibited them a bit. Equally, Spurs set out to… Read more »
Walcott has started this his attitude of rushing every time to talk to the press. I can’t understand why they were surprise about Spurs formation. He should concentrate in playing football. All these nicy nicy attitude is actually not what we need. Thank God the pressure and the fear of being dropped have galvanized him into some sort a better player this season. However, he should start showing leadership. He is one of the longest players in the club now. He should do the talking in the field.
Small shit clubs like Tottenham are allways going to shut up shop when they come to our place. Should not be a surprise at all. 😉
A draw is a draw is a draw…….. take it or leave it.
We really miss Cazorla in these games where his ball control and passing (as irrepressible as his smile) can find the open spaces and move us forward against sides that want to suffocate our attack. His play slices through the teams that overload the midfield and exposes the gaps between the lines. In his absence, the squad needs to find an alternative set-up and strategy as we don’t have another Cazorla in the squad. I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I think getting more players up high to even out and get the advantage in numbers is… Read more »
Agree with you kind of. Would like to see us to field a more powerful midfield 3 in some games, even if it means Ozick in the wing. A midfield 3 of Elneny, Xhaka and Ramsey (swap one to Coq) would provide much more physicality which could be needed against teams like spurs or stoke who often overpower us in midfield. The first 3 all have a good passing range too so don’t think we should lose much creativity. Just a thought though.
The reason is that players like Wanyama can dominate and bully our players too easily. Romeu did the same to us earlier this season. We can cope with them with our speed and passing when it works but in games like yesterday when the movement and passing are a bit off we could use some physicality.
One criticism of Wenger has long been that he is slow to adjust his tactics to the various things the opponents do against us. Will be interesting how Mourinho sets up against us. If it were at the Emirates I know he’d pack it in, but playing at their place will be interesting how open he tries to play.
Didn’t Wenger say in his interview that they expected spurs to play 3 at the back?
I don’t think the 3 at the back had such a massive impact on us. We were still cutting through them. Problem for me was : 1) We were wasteful. In a sense we were almost to revved up and needed to be calmer. Iwobi could have a bit more composure given time he had on the ball. Ditto Ozil for the follow up on the shot that Walcott rattled the post with. 2) We didn’t sustain our effort and better play when we came back after second half. Instead we gave them back the initiative which led to the… Read more »
Just to further illustrate how tinted some people’s glasses can be, there was all this talk about whether Coquelin should have been kept on and Granit subbed. The Swiss racked up the highest number of interventions on the day for us. Grnated Coquelin was also good on the day, Granit adds deep passing ability (and potential shooting power). With Santi missing , it was the right decision. As I have spoken about before, Granit has been signed not just to provide back up to Coquelin but also to Santi for his deep passing ability. That said, hope we get Santi… Read more »
I’m not sure if it’s been mentioned somewhere already, but there was a small moment in this game that really stuck with me regarding Özil. When Walcott was fouled and a few sp*rs players got in his face about him going down easy, the first player to have his back was Özil, who charged in shouting and gave one of those cunts a big shove in the chest. I feel as though in the past Özil would be much more passive in these situations, and this was a perfect example of the fire inside him this season.
you have to adapt and solve the problem