Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Thomas Frank’s side set unwanted Premier League record as Champions League doubts appear

Tottenham Hotspur record the lowest expected goals figure (0.07 xG) by any team in the Premier League this season when they lost 4-1 against Arsenal on Sunday.

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The Emirates were the scene of the first North London derby, and Thomas FranckThe Spurs team was humiliated by their London rivals.

Supporters were left frustrated by Tottenham’s lack of attacking quality, as while they managed to get on the scoresheet, Richarlison‘s goal came after a mistake by Martin Zubimendi on the ball.

Tottenham failed to produce a single shot inside the penalty area, with all three efforts coming from distance.

Spurs’ xG of 0.07 was the lowest total an elite team has managed this season, and the second lowest total also belongs to Frank’s side having produced just 0.12 xG against Chelsea on November 1.

Was Arsenal too strong or was Tottenham Hotspur too weak?

Losing to Arsenal will be painful, but a defeat against arguably the best team in the world should not be seen as a disastrous result in isolation.

There is an argument that the outcome of Sunday’s game would not have changed if Frank had changed his approach, but many fans believe the Dane was far too conservative in his team selection.

Spurs were lined up with a back three that often looked like a 5-2-3, and players like Xavi Simons, Pedro Porro And Brennan Johnson started on the bench.

The fact that Chelsea also managed to limit Tottenham to just three shots suggests there is a fundamental problem with Frank’s approach. So while Arsenal were excellent on Sunday, the Lilywhites contributed significantly to their own downfall.

Will Thomas Frank’s style cost Tottenham Hotspur the Champions League?

The defeat at the Emirates has not ruled the team out of the Champions League race given the club are just four points behind third-placed Manchester City, although that gap could widen considerably if Frank continues to be so stubborn.

Tottenham have drawn three, lost three and won two of their last eight Premier League matches, and if their form continues they will likely need to close a significant points gap to finish in the top four.

Frank’s defensive style was used to good effect at Brentford, but the Bees were able to rely on deep counter-attacks as they were most often deprived of possession, while Spurs frequently receive the ball from their opponents.

When Tottenham come up against Chelsea and Arsenal, they could enjoy more success if they look to get more of their attacking stars on the pitch, even at the risk of losing some defensive solidity.

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