Tottenham star questions tactic on Sunday, during NLD

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Lucas Moura has told Stadium Astro that he cannot understand why Tottenham kept playing “long balls”, during the NLD defeat to Arsenal.

The Gunners trounced Spurs with a dazzling first-half display that left Spurs dumbfounded. At half-time, the score read 3-0 to Arsenal.

Emile Smith-Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal 3-0 up. Son Heung-min got one back for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Arsenal dominated the ball in the first 45, and Spurs improved in the second 45 – after the introduction of Oliver Skipp. But it was too late.

Spurs midfielder Lucas spoke after the match, bemoaning his side’s tactics under Nuno – questioning why his teammates attempted so many long balls.

“In my opinion, there was so many long balls and we were not aggressive enough,” Lucas said. “But we will improve, we have the quality to do so.”

Lucas on Tottenham tactics in NLD: Forced into long ball by Arsenal?

There was one moment, early on in the match, that saw Aubameyang not only close a Tottenham defender down – but then chase down his block.

It set the tone. Spurs were put under constant pressure from Arsenal’s attackers. At the moment, the Spurs defenders are lacking in confidence.

When they did clear long, Spurs were unable to keep the ball down Arsenal’s end, the midfield were out of position.

It allowed Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka to win the defensive headers won by the likes of Ben White, Gabriel and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Not only did Tottenham get their tactics wrong, but Arteta got them bang on. A brilliant win for Arsenal, one that could change their season.