Danny Murphy explains why he felt sorry for Tottenham star Djed Spence vs Arsenal
Danny Murphy has admitted he felt sorry for Djed Spence in Tottenham’s defeat to Arsenal.
Hope was kindled for Tottenham after Randal Kolo Muani quickly cancelled out Eberechi Eze’s opener at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
But another Eze effort, either side of a Viktor Gyokeres double, sent Tottenham to a 4-1 defeat in Igor Tudor‘s first game in charge.
Things could have been different if Kolo Muani‘s second goal, which would have made it 2-2, hadn’t been disallowed, but it was a deserved victory for the Gunners.
And on Match of the Day 2, former Liverpool man Murphy highlighted why full-back Spence had an unenviable task against Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber.
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Djed Spence outplayed by Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber
Murphy pointed out that most of Arsenal’s joy against Tottenham came down the right-hand side of the pitch, with the partnership of Saka and Timber proving too much for Spurs, with Spence often the man outnumbered.
Indeed, according to Sofascore, former Leeds United loanee Spence won very few of his ground duels, five out of 17, and one of his errors led to an Arsenal goal.
But to Murphy, it wasn’t entirely the ex-Nottingham Forest man’s fault.
He said: “It’s fair to say that Spurs were pretty poor at times, but Arsenal were outstanding. This partnership on the right-hand side they haven’t had in recent weeks. Saka in his most comfortable position, and Timber behind.
“When at its best, it’s one of the best in Europe, and Tottenham could not cope with them today (Sunday), especially in the first half. They didn’t fix this problem. It just went on and on and on.
“I actually felt for Djed Spence as the game went on. He didn’t know what to do, whether to drop off or press. The two vs one situation again.
“They really struggled to stop that threat today. Didn’t really know who to go, when to go, poor communication, poor plan, I don’t know.”
Spence also made zero interceptions, while making no tackles, proving just how easy it was to play around him while he was isolated at wing-back.
Making four fouls and one error leading to a goal, it is an afternoon he’ll want to forget quickly.
Will ‘decimated’ Tottenham survive without key players?
Tottenham’s loss to Arsenal means Tudor’s side are down in 16th place in the Premier League, just four points above the relegation zone.
In the next fortnight, they face Fulham away and fellow strugglers Crystal Palace at home. Spurs haven’t won in the Premier League since an away win at Palace on 28 December.
But their cause has not been helped by injuries to playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, wingers Wilson Odobert and Mohammed Kudus, midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur, and defenders Ben Davies and Pedro Porro.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given was quick to point out that Tottenham have been “decimated” by injuries, while Murphy said that even if their players return, they need to improve defensively.
Both, however, thought Tottenham would just about stay up, but they need wins and fast.