TOT 3 - 0 ARS: A Game Not as Close as the Score Indicates

 A lack on Arsenal's part of composure, and attention deficit syndrome, assisted a sharp Spurs side in demolishing the Gunners and making it as tough as possible for us to win both our remaining games.  In this loss, Holding was red carded, Gabriel had a hamstring injury, and Ben White was not fit enough to replace either of them from the bench.  So next game, we'll be without any senior CBs.  Tomiyasu can play there, and then we have an outside back problem and are still short a center back.

The game was a bit more affected by refereeing than it ought to have been, but Arsenal can't claim it was an unjust result.  It could have been worse and not overstated the dominance of Conte and his men over Arteta and his. We did not take care of possession when the game was competitive.  I disagree with Arteta's decision to make the game open early.  It exposed Holding to being turned or sprinted behind by Son.  It is not Holding's natural inclination to get that tight so far out.  He must have been instructed to try.  It's not his game.  He'll shine when we're on the defensive and repelling cross after cross.  But in transition, he's not fast or quick enough to be pulled so far out to mark one that closely.  He knew it, and Arteta should have known it.  The second yellow was just nasty from Holding and could have been a red.  He made those fouls, but playing in a way that did not suit him at all.  Dreadful performance.  Cedric wasn't so hot either.  Gabriel was OK before his injury, and Tomi was fine.  Our mids coughed up the ball a few times under little pressure.  There were only a few moments of real danger to Lloris's goal.  This strangulation of an inferior opponent was what Arsenal was incapable of against Leeds, down two goals and a man and still got to 2-1 at our place.  While the boys up front played some good football, we never looked like scoring.

I'm not worried about the psychology of this loss.  They're pros and will focus on Newcastle.  I'm worried about our entire defensive first choice team being unable to play at St James's Park.  Lose there, and Spuds lift that fourth trophy, and I'll remind myself in consolation that I'd have been delighted with 5th place if offered it last August.  It looks grim.

Tottenham did what they had to do, and then some.  Credit to them.