Ange Postecoglou could regret his decision to start Rodrigo Bentancur for Tottenham v Arsenal. Ange Postecoglou could regret starting Rodrigo Bentancur against Arsenal after the midfielder’s performance against Newcastle United.
A little over two weeks have passed since Tottenham were thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle at St James’ Park (14 April).
Postecoglou has therefore had plenty of time to ponder over what was Spurs’ heaviest defeat of the season ahead of the North London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (28 April).
In that time, Arsenal have been in action three times, and have put themselves in a convincing position to go on and win the Premier League for the first time in twenty years.
With four matches left to play, Mikel Arteta’s side are two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
Three more points in what is perhaps their toughest test left of the season would see the Gunners take a big step closer to lifting the Premier League, and Postecoglou and his players will be desperate to derail their noisy neighbours’ title charge.
With Spurs still holding UEFA Champions League ambitions of their own, there is no underestimating just how big of a match this is for both teams, and Postecoglou could live to regret a decision made in his confirmed starting lineup (Spurs’ Official X, 28 April).
Ange Postecoglou takes a gamble by starting Rodrigo Bentancur for Tottenham against Arsenal
Spurs’ midfield was completely outclassed the last time they took to the pitch, with Bentancur in particular looking lost at times.
As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old was pretty average on the ball as he completed just 83 per cent of his overall passes and 50 per cent of his dribbles, although he did complete his one long ball forward.
He offered very little in the final third as mustered up just 0.10 expected goals and 0.03 expected assists, but it was defensively where the midfielder really struggled.
Of his nine ground duels, Bentancur won just five, while he was successful with zero per cent of his aerial duels, losing all four.
Up the Spurs! 🤍 pic.twitter.com/5TH5rYyGko
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 28, 2024
Tottenham confirmed lineup against Arsenal
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In addition, he gave the ball away seven times before he was finally hooked off by Postecoglou in the 57th minute.
And the 58-year-old will hope to see much more from the Urugauy international this time around, otherwise, things could get ugly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, revenues in North London could reach “enormous” heights as a £110million verdict is shared.
