TOTTENHAM boss Thomas Frank has hit back at criticism of him drinking out of an Arsenal cup.
The Dane was snapped drinking out of an Arsenal paper cup ahead of his side’s clash with Bournemouth and the picture spread like wildfire on social media.
Asked about the image after Spurs lost 3-2 to the Cherries, Frank was far from happy.
He said: “I definitely did not notice it. It would be completely stupid of me to take it if I knew. It’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked about it. I would never do something that stupid.”
Spurs had more of the chances and more of the ball in their game on the south coast, but a 95th-minute Antoine Semenyo goal, on probably his last appearance for the club before moving to Man City, proved decisive.
There maybe couldn’t be a worse time for Frank to be seen with anything associated with Arsenal given the two contrasting fortunes of the north London clubs.
Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand and dismantled Spurs 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.
On the other hand, there have been many growing pains with Frank since moving to Tottenham in the summer.
They are currently 14th in the table with seven wins from their 21 games.
Only one win in their last six games is not good enough by a Champions League club’s standards and Frank will be hoping he is given time to implement his style at the club with players that suit him.
Just in the past week, Enzo Maresca has been sacked by Chelsea and Ruben Amorim lost his job with Manchester United.
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Two men who had 18 months or less at big clubs will not give great hope to Frank if results continue as they have.
At full time, Micky van de Ven appeared to offer out a Tottenham fan, with Joao Palhinha and Pedro Porro also caught up in a confrontation with supporters.
Frank said sympathised with both parties.
He said: “I haven’t seen that situation, that’s one thing. I think it’s fair to say everyone involved in Tottenham, players, staff, fans, everyone is a tough one to take today.
“I think hopefully everyone can see how hard we worked to get everything in the right direction.
“And I think overall the performance was good, especially in the second half, in a game where we deserved to get more.
“That is extremely painful to be part of, so of course people are frustrated, I’m frustrated, so that’s natural.”