Three things we learned from Tottenham defeat by Arsenal as Thomas Frank's tactical tweak backfires | OneFootball

Dane could only watch as his side were ripped apart

It was a turgid match for much of the first half, largely by Frank’s design. For 36 minutes Spurs kept the hosts at bay, but by half-time it was 2-0 after goals from Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze.

There were two more for Eze after the break, a particularly painful hat-trick for Spurs after their attempts to sign him in the summer.

Richarlison scored a superb goal from 40 yards out, the ball floating perfectly over David Raya and under the bar. The positives for Spurs ended there.

Frank approach gets what it deserves

For the first time since the UEFA Super Cup, Spurs reverted to a back three. That night Spurs were superb, pressing high up the pitch and showing real ambition against the Champions League holders.

The first half here, by contrast, was gutless. The problem was not the switch in formation or even the defensive focus. Against the best team in the league, that was a necessary tactic.

Surely, though, the gameplan did not need to be this unambitious. Spurs are not a bad side but they approached the match like they did not belong on the same pitch as Arsenal.

They did not have a single shot in the first half. The centre-backs were sent up for free-kicks in Spurs' own half. Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario time-wasted from the opening minute and the attacking plan consisted of aimless punts up the pitch.

These were tactics for the final ten minutes of a match when holding onto a lead, not a full match against your biggest rivals. Spurs kept Arsenal out for 36 minutes but once the first goal went in, the result was basically decided.

By the end of the match, Spurs had mustered three shots and an xG of 0.07.

Time waster: Destiny Udogie

REUTERS

Impact of defeat will roll on

This was not a result that Spurs fans will forget in a hurry.

It is now four defeats in a row to Arsenal for the first time since the 1980s and Spurs will find this a hard one to move on from.

Not least, that is, because there will be a reminder when Frank's side host Fulham next weekend.

Cristian Romero will be suspended for that match, weakening Spurs when they try to win at home in the Premier League for the first time since the opening week of the season.

The club captain was booked in the second half for dissent and it was the kind of needless yellow card that he should not be picking up, particularly in his leadership position.

That was his fifth booking in the league this season and a particularly costly one.

Suspended: Cristian Romero

Action Images via Reuters

Away run comes to a crashing halt

Spurs arrived at the Emirates with the best away record in the league, dropping points on the road only in a defeat to Brighton.

That was one of the main sources of hope for Frank and his men ahead of a daunting trip but that record disappeared in a hurry.

Spurs have been used to boos on home soil this season but away matches have been a much happier place. By the time they made their way over to the away end here, there were barely 100 fans left.

The superb record on the road has somewhat eased the pressure on Spurs and Frank, giving a better gloss to the table.

Without that, they would have huge problems. Next up away from home it's a trip to Newcastle and that looks incredibly tough.

Spurs will drop to tenth if Manchester United pick up a point at home to Everton on Sunday and all of a sudden, the table is offering little comfort.