‘You wouldn’t see that in an under-12s game’: Paul Merson SLAMS Tottenham’s defense for Arsenal’s first goal as his former side triumph 3-2 in north London derby

Paul Merson has offered a scathing assessment of Tottenham’s defense following Ange Postecoglou’s side’s 3-2 defeat in the north London derby.

Arsenal took the lead just 15 minutes into the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg put the ball into his own net from a Bukayo Saka corner.

The goal marks the 13th goal Spurs have conceded from set pieces this season, placing them among the bottom four clubs in the league as one of the teams with the worst record.

With an early lead, Mikel Arteta’s side were quick to take the initiative in Sunday’s clash, with goals from Saka and Kai Havertz putting the visitors into a 3-0 lead before the ‘interval.

As the match passed the hour mark, Arsenal looked set to secure three points with minimal disruption.

Paul Merson criticized Tottenham’s defense as they conceded early in north London derby

The former Arsenal star insisted such poor positioning on a free kick wouldn’t even be seen in a youth match.

Arsenal’s opener marked the 13th free-kick goal Spurs have conceded this season.

Until an errant pass from David Raya allowed Cristian Romero to score, before Son Heung-Min increased the pressure by adding a second for the hosts from the penalty spot.

In the end, Arsenal held on to get three points, but speaking on Sky Sports, Merson insisted it could have been a different story if Tottenham’s defense hadn’t been so poor early on .

“If you look, all the Arsenal players are behind. The Tottenham players are all watching, it’s the worst thing you can do as a defender. The expert said about the free kick that led in the first match.

“I wasn’t a defender, but I know the game. You can’t let these players take the goal side of you, and every single one of them pretty much ends up on the other side of the player.

“They end up being behind them. It’s incredible. You wouldn’t see that happening in an under-12 football match. Look every one of them is behind them now, they are all on the goal side. It’s incredible.’

Merson also managed to capitalize on his former team’s success against their bitter rivals after the full-time whistle.

Joined by former Spurs defender Michael Dawson on the panel, Merson couldn’t resist making a joke at his co-pundit’s expense.

“This fightback will serve them well next year, won’t it?” » he said, nodding towards Dawson.

The victory in north London marked Arteta’s 100th year as Premier League manager, seeing him rank alongside some of the greatest in the competition’s history as one of the quickest to achieve this distinction.

However, while three points allowed them to maintain their place at the top of the table, Manchester City remain on their heels in second place, trailing by just one point while having a game in hand.

Speaking after City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Merson added that the champions’ sustained dominance made it harder to put Arteta’s successes into perspective.

“I mean, it’s unbelievable, only seven behind Sir Alex Ferguson,” he continued. “You know, Jurgen Klopp who is a legend. I mean, phenomenal. Absolutely. Fair play to him.

“I know people say, ‘Yeah, but he didn’t win the league.’ It’s all about timing.

Derby victory helped Arteta reach 100 wins as Premier League manager

But Merson insisted Arteta’s achievements as Gunners boss are bound to be overshadowed by Man City’s dominance.

“If you’re a heavyweight challenger, and Mike Tyson is about to do it, you’re not going to win the world title, and that’s kind of how it is.

“You’re just unlucky.” You have to accept that you were second best at the time, and if they weren’t there they would have won and that’s how it works. It’s just a question of timing. They’re really unlucky.