Tottenham Goalkeeper Vicario Apologises After Derby Defeat

Tottenham Goalkeeper Vicario Issues Apology After Heavy Arsenal Loss

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario began a difficult night by expressing regret to Spurs supporters after his side suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby. Playing away at the Emirates Stadium, Tottenham were comprehensively outplayed, with Arsenal’s attacking force led by Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze—who netted a remarkable hat-trick—securing all three points for the Gunners. Though Richarlison managed to find the net for Spurs, it was merely a consolation in an otherwise dispiriting performance.

Vicario Slams Passive Game Plan in North London Derby

Reflecting on the match, Guglielmo Vicario did not mince his words. Speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted, “A very bad night for us. First of all, we have to apologise to the people that support us every day. They expected us to fight and today we didn’t fight.” He went on to criticize the team’s passive tactics, noting that the approach they executed was not what they had prepared for in training. “We waited too much to get into the game. We were too passive,” he said. “The game plan we prepared was different. Today we didn’t fight. We have to apologise first of all for this.”

Vicario also referenced a possible offside during Eze’s first goal, stating, “There were three people in front of me so of course they impacted me. But we didn’t lose the game for that.” The Italian goalkeeper emphasized the need for unity ahead of the club’s upcoming fixtures: “It’s a tough night, a very bad defeat, but we have to stick together. We have a big night on Wednesday but we need to stick together.”

Arsenal Extend Lead as Spurs Slip in the Table

The defeat marks a significant setback for Tottenham, who entered the game with hopes of closing the gap on the Premier League leaders and strengthening their push for Champions League qualification. Instead, Arsenal now sit six points clear at the summit, while Spurs have dropped to ninth place. The Gunners’ relentless attacking pressure exposed Tottenham’s weaknesses, and the away side’s lack of aggression made it easy for Mikel Arteta’s men to dictate the game.

Spurs Manager Frank Reflects on Tactical Missteps

Tottenham manager Frank shared in the disappointment, telling BBC Radio 5 Live, “It’s extremely painful to stand here after an extremely bad performance. Against the worst team we could put a bad performance in against.” He admitted his confidence before the match was misplaced, as his attempt to replicate the tactics from Tottenham’s narrow UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain backfired in the high-stakes derby. “Especially in the first half we lacked the ability to have pressure and get close to them and be aggressive enough in the duels,” Frank explained. He took responsibility for the team’s approach, acknowledging that strategic changes at halftime were not enough to salvage the match.

What’s Next: Tottenham Face PSG in Champions League Showdown

Looking ahead, Tottenham must regroup quickly as they prepare for an even tougher challenge in the Champions League. On Wednesday night, Spurs travel to Paris to face defending champions PSG—a daunting fixture following such a demoralizing defeat. The pressure is on for both players and management to show a response and get back on track. The commitment to “stick together” and the demand for greater intensity will be crucial if Spurs are to revive their season and give their supporters something to cheer about.

Opinion: Spurs Must Rediscover Their Identity and Fight

This crushing loss underscores the need for Tottenham to rediscover the aggressive, high-intensity football that has brought them success in the past. Passive tactics and lack of fight will not suffice in the Premier League or Europe. With a pivotal Champions League clash on the horizon, this is a test of character for both the squad and the manager. Only by showing unity, determination, and a return to proactive football can Tottenham hope to rebound from this setback. For more news on Tottenham and football around the world, visit for more news.