'Major problem': Alan Pardew names £17m Tottenham star who had 'massive' issue vs Arsenal

09/16/2024 06:15 AM

Arsenal gained bragging rights in the North London derby after a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs were hoping to put a dent in Arsenal‘s title hopes but the Gunners defended resolutely and snatched three points from Ange Postecoglou‘s side.

Mikel Arteta was forced to field a weakened side due to injuries to Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard, while Declan Rice was also suspended for his red card against Brighton.

But Arsenal’s squad stepped up to the challenge and Gabriel snatched three points for the visitors with a towering header from Bukayo Saka’s corner in the second half.

Guglielmo Vicario has been criticised for his role in the goal after failing to come and meet the cross. Jamie Redknapp even suggested that set pieces are Tottenham’s “kryptonite”.

READ MORE: Paul Merson says £40m Tottenham player has got to do more after seeing him live v Arsenal

Guglielmo Vicario has a ‘massive’ problem

Guglielmo Vicario‘s issue with the Premier League’s physicality is nothing new – he struggled with it last season after his £17m transfer move and he has failed to address it for the new campaign.

Arsenal are one of the best in the league at set-pieces and they were always going to target Vicario whenever possible. It turned out to be a match-winning strategy.

Speaking on talkSPORT, former manager Alan Pardew said: “I think the goalie has got a massive, massive problem because he really does look vulnerable swinging that corner into the six-yard box.

“He looked vulnerable in the first half. He has looked vulnerable every time I have seen him on crosses, and I think that's a major problem for the two centre-backs and the back-four."

Guglielmo Vicario must do better

One lapse of concentration proved to be extremely costly for Tottenham. Small margins often decide the biggest games in the Premier League and Vicario is too prone to errors.

Tottenham have now suffered consecutive defeats in the Premier League either side of the international break and they have slumped to 13th in the table.

Postecoglou has promised a trophy in his second season, but he must also make sure that Spurs don’t drop out of the top four race before it even really begins.

Working on set-pieces and improving Vicario’s ability to claim crosses must be a top priority or else it will not be the last time this season it will cost Tottenham.