'Listen': Rio Ferdinand suggests Tottenham have a player who actually deserved a telling off vs Arsenal
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Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal in the much-awaited North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite Son Heung-min opening the scoring for Tottenham, an own goal from Dominic Solanke and a winner from Leandro Trossard meant Mikel Arteta’s side took home the bragging rights.
Arsenal have done the double over Spurs, beating them 1-0 away from home in September — courtesy of Gabriel Magalhaes’ decisive goal.
Ange Postecoglou would have been frustrated as the last time his side won a game in the Premier League was in their 6-0 thrashing of Southampton a month ago.
Antonin Kinsky started in between the sticks for the visitors in his first-ever North London Derby. Kinsky is highly rated by Tottenham, who has made an encouraging start to life in N17.
However, on Wednesday, the former Slavia Prague goalkeeper’s performance flattered to deceive.
Antonin Kinsky criticised during Arsenal vs Tottenham clash
The Czech Republic shotstopper made far too many mistakes on the ball and it seemed like the hosts had quickly realised that he was a weak link for Tottenham in possession, pressing him at will — with Kai Havertz notably almost forcing him into a grave error inside the box.
Kinsky has been tipped to join Real Madrid one day — such is the natural talent the 21-year-old has.
But after how the Tottenham goalkeeper fared against Arsenal, Rio Ferdinand suggested that he deserved a telling off in the dressing room at half-time.
Ferdinand said live on TNT Sports: “If someone hasn't given him a rocket at half-time to say listen, speed it up. Because that's where pressure starts.”
The pundit explained how a nervy goalkeeper makes any team uneasy when breaking down Kinsky’s display.
“It creeps through the team then straight away. If the ‘keeper is like that and gets caught on the ball, the rest of the team gets nervy. What's wrong with just kicking the ball up the pitch sometimes, particularly when you are under pressure?”
Kinsky used to be a midfielder as a youngster and as a result, the Lilywhites new-boy seemingly backs himself with the ball at his feet.
Kinsky has been praised by Solanke and while he has the makings of a top goalkeeper, the nerves seemed to have got the better of him in such a big game.
Antonin Kinsky stats in the North London Derby
The youngster will only learn from his latest outing against Mikel Arteta and Co.
It is imperative to note that in a Spurs shirt, Kinsky has looked the part and it is not easy for any ball-playing goalkeeper to look comfortable against a team that press as relentlessly as Arsenal do.
However, even the statistics suggest that Tottenham’s one and only signing in the winter window had an off day in possession.
ANTONIN KINSKY STATS IN ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM | |
GOALS CONCEDED | 2 |
ACCURATE LONG BALLS | 7/16 (44%) |
ACCURATE PASSES | 32/43 (74%) |
PUNCHES | 4 |
HIGH CLAIMS | 2 |
Misplacing 11 passes during the contest, Kinsky looked all over the shop.
Especially when it comes to his long kicking as the gifted goalkeeper’s completion rate was just at 44 per cent.
Arsenal constantly pressed Kinsky on the right-hand side, forcing him to kick the ball with his weaker left foot.
However, the positives are that the Tottenham shotstopper was commanding in the box.
On most occasions, Kinsky punched the ball away or simply caught it from set-piece situations.