Arsenal crumble at Tottenham in crucial top four race

Mikel Arteta launched an attack on referee Paul Tierney after rivals Tottenham defeated 10-man Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday to keep their hopes of a place in the Premier League top four alive.

LONDON — Mikel Arteta launched an attack on referee Paul Tierney after rivals Tottenham defeated 10-man Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday to keep their hopes of a place in the Premier League top four alive.

Antonio Conte’s side would have been out of the running to qualify for the Champions League next season had they lost to their bitter north London rivals.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane tormented Arsenal again when he opened the scoring with a controversial penalty.

Above all, Arsenal’s Rob Holding was sent off for two bookings in seven minutes.

Kane scored again before the break and Son Heung-min scored Tottenham’s third goal in the second half.

Rather than sealing a Champions League return for the first time since the 2016/17 season, fourth-placed Arsenal now face a bitter final in the battle for the top four.

Arsenal still have a slim advantage, but at the end of their four-game winning streak they are just a point clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, with both sides having two games to play.

Gunners boss Arteta was furious with both the penalty and the red card, saying: “If I say what I think I’m suspended for six months. I can’t lie so I’d rather not say what what I think.

“I can’t express my opinion. I think you can read my body language very clearly. I’m not unhappy with my players. I’m proud of my players.

“I want the referees to come in front of the camera and explain their decisions. It’s a shame because such a great game was ruined today.”

Tottenham host the struggling Burnley on Sunday and then travel to relegated Norwich, while Arteta’s men visit Newcastle this Mondoy before closing the season with a date against Everton.

  • AFP
RosGwen24 News
RosGwen24 News
Articles: 2782

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *