September 15th 2024.
Former Tottenham manager Glen Hoddle didn't hold back in his criticism of one particular player after Arsenal's 1-0 victory over their North London rivals on Sunday. Hoddle took aim at Guglielmo Vicario, the Tottenham goalkeeper, for his inability to control the penalty area, which ultimately led to Arsenal's winning goal from Gabriel Magalhaes' powerful header.
Despite missing key players Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Arsenal showed grit and determination to secure a crucial away win. It was Magalhaes' header in the second half that sealed the deal for the Gunners, marking their third consecutive victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For Spurs, it was another disappointing defensive display, particularly at set pieces, as they continue to struggle in this area since the arrival of manager Ange Postecoglou.
Hoddle didn't hesitate to put the blame on Vicario, who he believes lacks the necessary skills to handle set pieces. "The goalkeeper has an Achilles heel," Hoddle said in an interview with Premier League Productions. "Other clubs have noticed it - any ball that comes into that inswinging area in the six-yard box, his instinct is to go backwards. He needs to detach himself from the battle and ask himself, 'Where is my intent?'"
Vicario was caught rooted to his spot for Arsenal's winning goal, which only further highlighted Hoddle's criticism. "His body is always going backwards, he needs to come out and punch some of those balls," Hoddle continued. "Arsenal played that corner because they know he's weak in that situation. He flapped at one in the first half, he wasn't convincing. He's a good shot-stopper, but he needs to be more physical and assertive in the penalty area."
Postecoglou, on the other hand, defended his training methods as his team continues to receive criticism for their poor record at set pieces. "I know people think I don't care about set pieces, but that's just a narrative that can go on and on," he said. "We work on them just like we do for every other team. We know they're a threat, and for the most part, we handled them well today. But we switched off for one moment, and we paid the price. We'll learn from this and move on."
It's clear that the issue of set pieces is a sore spot for Tottenham, and it's something they will need to address if they want to improve their defensive record. As for Arsenal, they will be delighted with their win and will look to continue their winning streak in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on all things Arsenal.
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