Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou explains Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr substitutions in Arsenal defeat
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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has explained his bold double substitution at half-time against Arsenal was in response to a poor opening 45 minutes. Spurs took the lead, slightly against the run of play, in the north London derby when Heung-min Son's deflected effort found the bottom corner to stun the majority inside the Emirates Stadium.
However, a Dominic Solanke own goal and a strike from Leandro Trossard turned the game on its head in the space of four minutes. Trailing at the break, Postecoglou opted to withdraw Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, replacing the pair with James Maddison and Brennan Johnson in an extremely attacking change.
Speaking about the decision in the post-match press conference, the Spurs manager revealed the first-half performance was not a reflection of him or the team. "It wasn't about regaining control, it was having different intent in our football," Postecoglou told reporters. "It's not who we are, it's not the way I set the team up.
"It's not the way we want to play, to be sitting in there and allowing Arsenal to play to their tempo. It just wasn't good enough.". Ultimately the double substitution along with bringing on Richarlison late in the game did not have the desired impact as Spurs fell to a fourth Premier League defeat in their last five games.
