Micky van de Ven has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur cannot afford to concede the kind of goals they did in the first half against Arsenal if they are to have ambitions of competing against the best.
Ahead of the North London Derby, Ange Postecoglou had made no secret of the fact that he wants his side to challenge for the title next season and that he sees the game as a test of Tottenham’s progress against one of the best sides in the Premier League (Football.London).
However, on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s men showcased a winning mentality that the Lilywhites simply lack, punishing their opponents for all their mistakes.
While Spurs dictated proceedings for much of the encounter, they had a few lapses in concentration, with the away side essentially putting the game to bed in the first half with three goals.
Micky Van de Ven wants to work on set-pieces
Van de Ven admitted that Tottenham need to develop the kind of ruthless streak that their rivals showed if they want to become a top side.
The centre-back told Yahoo Sport: “Two goals from set-pieces of course is frustrating. We have to train hard and to work on it this week. I don’t think in the football part we are worse than Arsenal. The mentality from them is strong but I wouldn’t say that either.
‘You see their goals and they were ruthless. They took every chance and I think that makes the difference. The first half was not good from us, 3-0, it can’t happen in your own stadium in a big game like this. You cannot concede three goals at home if you want to be a top team and we have to work on it.”
Spurs Web Opinion
At least there is an acknowledgement from the players and Postecoglou about our lack of ruthlessness and lapses in concentration, rather than putting the defeat to bad luck like they have done for much of the season so far.
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