Football

Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Points Out Problem with Conte’s Spurs System

Ex-Arsenal Midfielder Points Out Problem with Conte’s Spurs System
London, England, 15th January 2023. Antonio Conte manager of Tottenham hides his face during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: David Klein / Sportimage - Photo by Icon sport

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson had his say on Tottenham Hotspur’s poor recent record after the side lost 2-1 to arch-rivals Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday.

Merson was working as a pundit on the game for Sky Sports and the ex-Gunners playmaker didn’t hold back on spurs’ “unbelievable” concession rate in recent games.

“Tottenham are letting in two goals every game,” Merson said on Sky Sports, “They play three at the back, two holding midfield players and every week they let in two goals.

“I don’t know how you get away with it, it’s unbelievable,” he explained, “Bar the Palace game – which, if Palace had Harry Kane, they would have won 4-0 – you can’t keep turning it on and off like a tap.”

“The first half was embarrassing at the highest level. Everything Arsenal were doing you could see there was a plan and there’s patterns of play,” he said, “But Tottenham’s is cuffy, it’s off the cuff. If it happens, it happens. You can’t see any plan.

“The second goal, the goalie’s kicking the ball like it’s 1989. He’s getting the ball and kicking it out of his hands – that happens on Sunday mornings. You can’t do that,” the pundit added, “There are center-halves sitting there waiting for the ball. I feel sorry for the midfield players – they’ve been left to be embarrassed.”

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Conte’s System has a ‘Problem’

Merson told the studio that he was “a big fan of Conte,” but pointed out that he believed there was a problem with the manager’s current system at the North London club.

“He (Conte) plays three at the back – it’s more let’s not lose the game before we win the game,” Merson began.

“There’s a problem with the system,” he explained, “With the players and the personnel they’ve got, I don’t think the system’s enough.”

“You’ve got one of the best center-forwards in the world and he’s getting starved of service,” Merson said, “It’s terrible for a footballer to have that much class and to be working on scraps.”

“For me, they’ve got to try and change it up now,” the ex-professional said, “I know he plays three at the back but he needs to change that now and play four at the back, play 4-3-3.”

“Arsenal go out to win football matches, Tottenham go out not to lose football matches and that’s why it’s a 14-point difference.”

Asked whether he believed that Spurs can make the top four in the Premier League and secure another year in the Champions League under Conte, Merson was doubtful.

“I don’t think so, I’m just being honest,” he stated, “Liverpool and Chelsea will still come – don’t think they will keep playing like this.”

Tottenham find themselves in fifth position in the division following their North London derby defeat at the weekend. On 33 points, the club are 14 points off leaders Arsenal, who also have a game at hand on their arch rivals.

Another tough fixture awaits Antonio Conte’s side on Thursday when they travel to the Etihad to take on second-place Man City. The game should make for a fascinating tie as both sides look to reclaim some form on the back of derby defeats at the weekend.

 

 


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