Footballing Weekly: Same 1st losses but wildly different reactions from Arsenal and Tottenham

SINGAPORE — The North London clubs were finally beaten this past English Premier League (EPL) weekend, but the post-defeat reactions of Arsenal and Tottenham could not be any more different.

While Gunners boss Mikel Arteta ranted and railed at what he deemed as "an absolute disgrace" - after Newcastle's winning goal on Saturday (4 November) was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR review - Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou bit his tongue and said that he has to accept the referee's decision to brandish two red cards to his team in their stormy 1-4 defeat by Chelsea on Monday.

Why such different reactions after their first losses of the season? After all, both North London clubs are still comfortably nestled among the top four in the league table - with Arsenal three points behind leaders Manchester City and Tottenham just a point off the top.

There are clues to the answer upon closer looks at the two matches.

Shielding underperforming Gunners

Arteta's extraordinary rant at Newcastle's lone goal - where Anthony Gordon tapped in from a seemingly offside position after the ball spilled to him after a clash between his teammate Joelinton and Arsenal defender Gabriel - could be a calculated move to deflect attention from his goalkeeper David Raya.

Signed on loan from Brentford with Arteta seemingly dissatisfied with Aaron Ramsdale's performances, Raya has struggled to show why he is so prized by the Arsenal boss after several nervous games between the posts.

And he was at fault for Newcastle's winner, flapping at the cross from Joe Willock and allowing the ball to sail to Joelinton, resulting in Gordon's ensuing goal.

So far, the media have centred on Arteta's outburst and ignored criticising Raya's error. So, job seemingly accomplished for Arteta, even though the fact remains that his signing - along with the misfiring Kai Havertz - have failed to lift the Gunners so far this season.

Comfort in seeing players' battling spirit

Postecoglou, on the other hand, will also have to deal with multiple setbacks following the home defeat by Chelsea. Not only will defenders Christian Romero and Destiny Udogie be given suspensions following their red cards, but Spurs will also be bracing themselves for news to the injuries of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven that forced them to exit the match.

Yet amid the crippling setbacks, the Spurs players never stopped competing. They continued to hunt for goals, and tried to keep Chelsea pegged back with their ultra-high defence line. It was only until the final moments of the match when they succumbed to fatigue and allowed the Blues to break through their defence for two late goals.

Their battling spirit won the roars of approval from the Tottenham Stadium fans, and Postecoglou must be pleased at how much of a connection his players have built with their supporters this season.

A defeat is always a hard to swallow, but perhaps the Spurs boss could see enough silver lining so as not to resort to criticism of the refereeing.

Join co-hosts Neil Humphreys and Chia Han Keong as they discuss the latest round of EPL matches, as well as the local football scene, with guest Haizam Shah.

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