What a ‘SHAME’ The 4/10 Disaster Who Lost the Ball 15 Times vs Arsenal -is it time to bench him?
Tottenham Hotspur entered last night’s North London Derby with a golden opportunity to crush Arsenal’s dwindling Premier League title hopes. However, instead of delivering the fatal blow, they inadvertently breathed life into their rivals’ faltering campaign.
Under the bright lights and intense atmosphere, Ange Postecoglou’s side faced a stern test. Despite weathering an early storm and taking a 1-0 lead after 25 minutes, Spurs’ advantage evaporated quickly. Arsenal turned the tide, scoring twice in 19 minutes to head into the break with a 2-1 lead.
The second half saw Tottenham pushing hard for an equaliser. While they had moments of promise, their vulnerability at the back left them just as likely to concede a third. Ultimately, Spurs succumbed to another defeat, marking a troubling return of just five points from their last 27 available in the league.
Amidst the disappointment, a few players stood out with commendable performances, including Lucas Bergvall, Son Heung-min, and Djed Spence, who earned the admiration of the fans. However, several players failed to rise to the occasion, with Antonín Kinský and Pedro Porro under heavy scrutiny for their underwhelming displays.
Antonín Kinský’s Struggles Under Pressure
Kinský had shown promise in his recent outings, debuting brilliantly in the League Cup against Liverpool and following it up with a solid performance against Tamworth in the FA Cup. Yet, the derby against Arsenal proved to be a step too far for the young Czech goalkeeper.
The high-pressure environment of a North London Derby exposed his inexperience. In the opening 20 minutes, Kinský’s hesitation on the ball nearly allowed Kai Havertz to score. His decision-making throughout the match left much to be desired, as he frequently misplaced passes, took heavy touches, and put his defence under unnecessary pressure.
The most glaring moment came when he failed to prevent Leandro Trossard’s winner. Despite being well-positioned, he couldn’t make the save that might have rescued a point for Spurs.
While criticism of Kinský might seem harsh, it’s a sentiment echoed by respected Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold. Gold awarded the young keeper a 5/10, noting he would be “disappointed” with his role in Arsenal’s winning goal.
Despite the setback, it’s important to remember Kinský’s youth and potential. One bad game in such a high-stakes environment doesn’t define his future, but he’ll need to learn quickly if he hopes to retain Postecoglou’s trust in similar scenarios.
Pedro Porro’s Nightmare Evening
If Kinský had a difficult night, Pedro Porro’s performance was arguably even worse. The Spanish full-back, who arrived with a reputation for attacking prowess and defensive reliability, was a shadow of himself against Arsenal.
Defensively, Porro was constantly out of position, leaving his teammates exposed. His poor awareness led to commentator Ally McCoist famously asking, “Where’s Pedro Porro?” during the match. In one particularly humiliating moment, he was sent tumbling by Trossard, a scene that encapsulated his struggles.
Offensively, Porro offered little to compensate for his defensive lapses. He failed to make incisive runs or deliver meaningful passes to unsettle Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. His only notable moment came in the dying stages, hitting the outside of the post in the 94th minute—a chance that came too late to salvage anything for Spurs.
Gold rated Porro even lower than Kinský, awarding him a 4/10 and highlighting his failure to track back for Arsenal’s second goal. The statistics paint an equally damning picture:
Combined expected goals and assists (xG+xA): 0.09
Dribbled past: 1
Duels won: 2/5
Ball losses: 15
Passing accuracy: 78%
Misplaced crosses: 5/6
Misplaced long balls: 4/7
Seb Martin, a Spurs content creator, called it a “nightmare display,” a sentiment many fans likely shared. For a player of Porro’s experience and quality, this level of performance is a significant concern.
Looking Ahead
This derby loss will undoubtedly sting for Tottenham. While players like Bergvall and Son showed flashes of brilliance, the performances of Kinský and Porro highlight deeper issues within the squad. For Postecoglou, addressing these problems will be crucial if Spurs are to halt their alarming slide and regain form in the league.
The North London Derby was meant to be an opportunity for Spurs to reassert themselves and derail Arsenal’s season. Instead, it served as a painful reminder of their own vulnerabilities. Whether they can bounce back from this setback remains to be seen.
