Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Spurs Gut Reaction Rant: Loss vs Arsenal

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Star forward Kei Kamara (23) of Columbus Crew FC controls the ball against Tottenham Hotspur defender Federico Fazio (21) during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. MLS All Stars won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Star forward Kei Kamara (23) of Columbus Crew FC controls the ball against Tottenham Hotspur defender Federico Fazio (21) during the second half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. MLS All Stars won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Spurs lose the first matchup in the North London Derby this season.

Looking at Mauricio Pochettino’s selection for his Spurs’ starting eleven: Harry Kane at striker, Nacer Chadli, Christian Eriksen and Andros Townsend as the attacking midfield. Eric Dier and Tom Carroll as the double pivot. Danny Rose, Kevin Wimmer, Federico Fazio and Kieran Trippier as the backline with Michel Vorm the starting goalkeeper. It was filled with a majority of starters up and down the lineup. The only players who would actually stand out were Michel Vorm and Federico Fazio.

Overall, it was considered a strong lineup for a Capital One Cup third round fixture, even against bitter rivals, Arsenal. Mauricio Pochettino’s message was clear, based on this starting eleven alone, Spurs were going for it all and looking to advance into the Round of 16. It’s understandable, after Spurs lost in the finals last season against Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino perhaps wanted to avenge that loss and Arsenal was standing in Spurs’ way.

Losing last season’s final this past March was filled with mixed emotions. It was the first time that Tottenham had reached a finals competition since 2009 against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup. Spurs were looking to repeat as champions, after beating Chelsea in 2008, unfortunately they lost to Man United and haven’t won any trophies since then.

RELATED: Spurs Gut Reaction Rant: Win vs Crystal Palace

What Maurico Pochettino and Tottenham lacked last season that eventually led to their loss against Chelsea, wasn’t having enough depth to rotate players in and out during four competitions: the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Europa League. A lack of depth caused every player to suffer from exhaustion as Pochettino’s high-press counterattack offense took it’s toll. It was very successful early in the season and carried through the New Year in 2015. But slowly, Tottenham couldn’t maintain their form and crashed out of three competitions within a span of a week-and-a-half. Clearly, additions were needed to help bolster this squad for the 2015-16 season.

Those additions were a balanced set; four defenders and three attacking players: DeAndre Yedlin, Dele Alli, Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Clinton N’Jie and Heung-Min Son. Surely these would be enough to now help Spurs rotate the squad in the Capital One Cup against Arsenal, and for the most part it worked in the first half of today’s matchup except for some untimely mistakes which have plagued Tottenham far too often.

Two plays which led to Arsenal’s goals came from Michel Vorm and Federico Fazio.

More from Match Reports

If Spurs’ lineup was considered strong before this match took place, it didn’t look like that at halftime and after the match ended. Michel Vorm’s error was a jumbled mess because he did his part to stop a goal from happening, unfortunately, his defense let him down in the end.

The center-back pairing of Kevin Wimmer and Federico Fazio didn’t work because of Fazio’s errors rather than Wimmer only getting his second start for Spurs. In any event, Vorm’s parry, or punch wasn’t strong enough to reach Fazio and/or Wimmer. Secondly, both of them didn’t react in time to get the ball while also losing track of Mathieu Flamini who was left unmarked and scored an easy goal.

View image | gettyimages.com

Two players to continue watching throughout the game would be Federico Fazio and Mathieu Flamini as they linked up once again for an Arsenal goal near the end of the game. Fazio, who had a hand in leading to Flamini scoring Arsenal’s first goal, would suffer from a sense of déjà vu. The Argentine defender had the right idea by clearing the ball, it’s just that he cleared the ball straight into the air leaving Spurs’ defense in a bind as no one marked Mathieu Flamini once again, who scored a second goal and put the game out of reach and ultimately ended Tottenham’s chances of reaching the finals for a second consecutive year.

Following the loss to Arsenal, this could be a blessing in disguise. While losing should never be praised or feel good, especially against fierce rivals. However, what can’t be understated is playing in one less competition. Essentially, Spurs can now focus on the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup. Three competitions is still a lot in one season, but players well get less tired now. Next up is a third big match in a row, this time against league leaders, Manchester City. A win and Spurs continue their climb up the Premier League table. There will be two league fixtures and a possible FA Cup clash against Arsenal. When those games come, Tottenham can get their revenge, but for now, no League Cup games is fine.

Next: Capital One Cup Matchday: Tottenham v Arsenal

More from Hotspur HQ