How Ange Postecoglou must copy one simple Mikel Arteta decision to improve Tottenham quickly

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Tottenham Hotspur slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the North London derby as they were once again undone by another set-piece goal.

Arsenal made it three wins from their last three visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Gabriel Magalhaes’ header in the second half proved decisive in the derby.

Spurs fans will be extra disappointed by the result given the fact Arsenal were not necessarily much better than them, the difference just proved to be the away side showing a much greater application and desire to win.

Another frustrating factor in the defeat will have been their team’s lapse in their concentration at a corner, with the fine margin swinging the game in the Gunners’ favour.

Ange Postecoglou claims Tottenham are working on set-pieces, however, they demonstrated that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done.

Arsenal’s attention to detail wins them North London derby

Postecoglou must follow Mikel Arteta’s lead and bring a new set piece coach to the club with Arsenal’s attention to detail ultimately winning them the derby.

The stats and how the game played out all suggest Tottenham could have taken a point against the Gunners, but it was just a moment of quality which won the game for the visitors.

How Arsenal attacked Bukayo Saka’s corner was so calculated, meanwhile, Tottenham’s defence looked in total disarray. Guglielmo Vicario looked frantic every time their rivals had a corner whilst his defenders looked unable to cope with the runs Arsenal were making.

Since the appointment of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, the North London club have scored 43 times from corners, more than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues.

Postecoglou has to swallow his pride, copy Arteta’s lead and look to bring a coach who can help rectify their issues in these situations.

More damming Tottenham set-piece stats

The BBC listed some alarming stats surrounding the contrast in the quality of Tottenham and Arsenal set-pieces.

Three of Arsenal’s last four goals against Spurs have come from set-pieces. The Gunners scored two corners last season and now Gabriel’s header this term.

Nottingham Forest, Luton Town and Sheffield United are the only teams to have conceded more from set pieces since the start of the last Premier League season. Tottenham have 18 goals conceded excluding penalties.