Tottenham’s utilization of squad depth vital to securing points

With four points from their opening five games, Tottenham are sitting in ninth place on the Premier League table, a less than the ideal position to be stuck in over the international break.

Draws away to Manchester City and Arsenal brought more points than the same fixtures from the 2018/19 campaign, however an unexpected loss at home to Newcastle dented momentum, and questions the club’s ability to secure all points in fixtures they need to win.

Perhaps before kick-off, most Spurs fans would be content with the opportunity of an away point at The Emirates, one of Tottenham’s toughest fixtures of the season. However, after such a promising and energetic opening 45 minutes (excluding extra time), the opportunity was there to kill the game off. Unfortunately they failed to put a nail in Arsenal’s coffin.

Tottenham added much-needed depth in the transfer window, and despite three quarters of new signings unavailable for the Arsenal match, Mauricio Pochettino could look to his bench with a number of options.

A fit-again Dele Alli was available along with Lucus Moura are Giovanni Lo Celso, all three of whom are dangerous and creative outlets. He also had defensive stability in Ben Davies and Serge Aurier to choose from.

Although Tottenham entered the second half with a lead still intact, Arsenal grew in belief, particularly with raucous support from the stands.

Left back Sead Kolasinac was able to charge up the flank and enter Tottenham’s penalty area multiple times in the second half, even setting up Sokratis for a disallowed marker.

Lucas has the ability to pick the ball, roll off defenders and charge in to the open space vacated by Kolasinac. The Brazilian’s terrifying pace would have proved a useful outlet for Spurs, with another attacking option required to halt Arsenal’s momentum.

Arsenal’s shaky back four had already struggled to handle Heung-Min Son’s pace and agility around the box, and releasing a fresh Lucas to run past Harry Kane could have brought life back to a slowly tiring Tottenham attack.

Instead, Dele was brought on for the booked Erik Lamela at the hour, with Arsenal well and truly in control of second half possession. While Dele provided a little more strength and stability in midfield, Tottenham were still desperately seeking a different, more speedy outlet in attack.

Arsenal levelled it up on 71 minutes, and could have easily snatched the winner. Then again, Tottenham also could have bagged a third. Lo Celso was brought on for an exhausted Son shortly after, and while the Argentine showed Pochettino and the Spurs fans his silky quality in midfield, what Spurs needed most was a dangerous goal threat.

Pochettino needs to be more opportunistic and strategic with his substitutions, something that will be aided with injured players returning.

After the international break, Tottenham are set to regain important midfielder Tanguy N’Dombele, as well as fellow new signing Ryan Sessegnon for their upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace, with defenders Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth almost ready for selection.

Pochettino now has access to a healthy and abundant list of first team players, and while choosing a starting 11 may be prove difficult, the correct selection alterations to change momentum is incredibly important for Tottenham to secure all three points in those difficult fixtures.