Football London

John Heitinga joined Thomas Frank's Tottenham backroom staff as assistant coach in January but he left the club after just 33 days following the arrival of Igor Tudor

The agent of recently-departed Tottenham assistant John Heitinga has hit out at the Lewis family over the appointment of interim boss Igor Tudor.

Former Ajax boss and Liverpool No.2 Heitinga joined Spurs back in January to support Thomas Frank but left the club just 33 days later following the Dane's dismissal.

His representative Rob Jansen has now revealed why Heitinga snubbed the chance to remain with the Europa League winners as part of Tudor's coaching set-up, telling Dutch podcast Kieft Jansen Egmond Gijp: "He was allowed to stay. They even asked him to stay. All other coaches, all Scandinavian, left.

"And after three weeks, they told him: ‘Please stay and see out your contract here.’ That’s quite an achievement for someone who worked there for three weeks.

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“But he said: ‘Yes, but now Igor Tudor, a Croatian coach, is coming with a whole staff for three or four months’. That man is always hired for emergency jobs.

“That almost never works. Why they did that is a mystery to me. And then another coach will come in. So, you can leave twice. That new coach will also come in with 45 people. He said, ‘This is pointless, Rob. I have to leave now’.”

Jansen feels the appointment of Tudor, who lost his first game at the helm on Sunday when Spurs were defeated 4-1 in the North London Derby by rivals Arsenal, lacked ambition.

He explained: “What does the management do, or in this case, the owners, the Lewis family? They opt for some kind of security.

"They hire someone with a track record, someone known as a crisis manager at struggling clubs for a few months. That saves their image. Unless they dare to continue with Heitinga and a new staff but they won’t.”

The 42-year-old was one of four staff members to leave Tottenham alongside fellow assistant Justin Cochrane, head of performance Chris Haslam and analyst Joe Newton.

Bruno Saltor has since arrived as Tudor's assistant alongside GK coach Tomislav Rogic and physical coach Riccardo Ragnacci.

Heitinga, 42, worked under Arne Slot during Liverpool's title-winning season before departing for former employers Ajax.

He signed a two-year contract with the Dutch giants, who he also led as interim coach in 2023, last May but was sacked in November following a 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. The former Everton defender also worked under David Moyes at West Ham prior to joining Liverpool.

The action of one Tottenham star during their 4-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday was lambasted by the away fans

Archie Gray's actions following Tottenham's equaliser against Arsenal have been called out after being caught on camera by seething away fans.

The 19-year-old was at the backpost as Randal Kolo Muani tucked away the leveller in the 34th minute, just 120 seconds after Eberechi Eze had opened the scoring in Sunday's north London derby.

In footage posted on social media by TikToker afcdylan, the Spurs star can be seen booting the ball in the direction of the away fans, appearing to hit one as he headed back to the centre circle. Supporters yelled expletives at the teenager as they raged at both the goal and the Spurs star's reaction.

Gray's joy was shortlived, however, as Arsenal took the lead once again just after the second half began. Viktor Gyokeres made it 2-1 in the 47th minute with a sensational strike on the edge of the box, pulling out his signature mask celebration in front of the home fans.

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Eze scored his second of the game on the hour mark after some excellent work from Bukayo Saka, sending a rebound goalward to make it 3-1. Gyokeres put the icing on the cake and collected a brace in stoppage time, shrugging off Gray in the box to secure the three points for his side.

The Spurs midfielder's actions weren't the only controversial moment in the game. David Raya pushed a Dominic Solanke strike off the goalline at 3-1, but the most highly-contested point of the match came just after Gyokeres' strike to put Arsenal ahead.

It looked like Muani had equalised once more to make it 2-2, but referee Peter Bankes blew for a foul on Gabriel. VAR decided not to intervene on this decision, which had plenty of Tottenham fans fuming.

One said: "How’s that a foul on Gabriel? If at all, he should be carded for diving. Proper clown!" Another added: "In what world is this a foul?" While a third said: "Such a soft foul. Just touched and Gabriel jumped like he was being tortured."

The north London derby victory has restored Arsenal's five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester City pulled it back to just two with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Mikel Arteta was beaming with pride at the response from his players. Speaking post-match, the Arsenal boss said: "It feels like we showed what we are made of.

"But then you have to show it again and again and again because if you have to just analyse how you feel after every game, it's a massive rollercoaster and it's not sustainable.

"I cannot be prouder and happier for what I've seen out there, but especially the way we lived the last 72 hours because I think this game in particular needed some context.

"After what happened against Wolves and the manner that we lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough. But that's the beauty of this game. There is no explanation watching the game back how the hell we draw that game. From any angle, you watch it back and say, 'It's impossible,' and you have to watch it again and say it's not going to happen.

"But it happened, and then you have to lift yourself up because you're feeling angry, upset, [and] ashamed at some point. And we are all different nationalities, we all have different feelings, and then you have to bring everybody together.

"And it's been a joy to spend that time together with them, to align everybody and to say, 'OK, what is going to be happening in the next chapter?'"

Arsenal have learned they could break the record for the earliest ever St Totteringham's Day should results go their way this weekend

Arsenal are in line to celebrate the earliest St Totteringham’s Day ever on record if results go their way this weekend. Fresh off the back of a glorious victory in the North London Derby, the infamous day is closing in.

For those somehow uneducated on the matter of what St Totteringham’s Day actually is, it is defined as the moment when Spurs can no longer finish higher than Arsenal in the league table. For example, the earliest recorded instance of this was March 9, 2008, when, with nine games to spare, the Gunners achieved this feat, and Spurs would go on to finish 11th.

Spurs currently sit in 16th and are firmly fighting for their lives in a relegation battle. West Ham’s draw with Bournemouth means they have closed the gap to just four points.

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Both teams have 11 games left to play, with Nottingham Forest sandwiched between them, an equal two points away from each side on 27. Arsenal’s win saw them climb to 61 points, a five-point lead, having played a game more, over their closest rivals, Manchester City, at the top of the table.

Arsenal face Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with every game now a must-win as they chase down a first title in 22 years. Spurs, meanwhile, scrapping for every point they can get their hands on, are away to Fulham, who have, themselves, their sights set on European qualification.

The maximum number of points Spurs can achieve this season if they win their remaining 11 games is 62 points. Were they to draw or lose against Fulham, whatever happens at Arsenal will not matter; St Totteringham’s Day will arrive.

The match takes place two-and-a-half hours before the Gunners kick-off at the Emirates Stadium so we will know the outcome of the result before they face Chelsea. Should Spurs win, then St Totteringham’s Day will occur only if Arsenal beat the Blues.

If Spurs win, but Arsenal draw, it would still be feasible for Tottenham to catch their north London Rivals, but only on goal difference, but this would then delay St Totteringham’s Day until the midweek round of fixtures when Arsenal go to Brighton and Spurs host Crystal Palace.

Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic has sparkled on loan at Hamburger SV this season, fuelling speculation he could yet remain with the Bundesliga side beyond the summer

Hamburger SV sporting director Claus Costa has confirmed Luka Vuskovic will definitely return to Tottenham at the end of the season.

The young Croatian centre-back has been a shining light in the Bundesliga this term, scoring an impressive four goals in 19 top-flight matches.

Hamburg would like to keep Vuskovic but according to Costa, the German club's hands are tied because there is no buy-option included within the loan agreement.

Costa said when quizzed on the Croatia international's future: “Contractually, there’s no chance he’ll stay. It’s purely a loan, and we have no way to tie Luka to HSV long-term."

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Hamburg boss Merlin Polzin has already confirmed he wants to retain the services of Vuskovic next season, stating: “I’m a man of conviction. Of course, I also believe in things that seem impossible, even if they’re just a bit romantic about football. Nevertheless, there’s a clear contractual agreement between the clubs.

“We’re very grateful that we found a solution last summer. It was very clear from the start with Luka’s camp that he only wanted to join HSV. The communication with Tottenham is extremely professional, both last summer and now. We’d be very interested in him continuing to wear the HSV jersey.”

The sticking point for HSV is that Vuskovic has been so good, it's highly likely Tottenham would like to keep him next season.

But even if they don't, a raft of clubs from across Europe are expected to enter the fray and there could well be permanent transfer interest in addition to fresh loan offers.

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are among a series of sides to have been linked with a swoop.

Hamburg are also itching to keep the 19-year-old so he can play alongside his brother Mario, who will be free to return from a doping ban in November.

Costa is under no illusions that it would be the stuff of dreams to pair the two brothers together, adding: “Of course, there’s this romantic notion that Luka will one day play alongside his brother Mario.

“Of course, we’re in contact with him [Mario]. He’s not allowed to train or play football for any club. But he’s in top physical condition, working hard with an absolute dedication and passion that is second to none.”

Vuskovic, who is set to feature for Croatia at the World Cup this summer, has already outlined his desire to play alongside Mario.

A number of staff left the north London club when Thomas Frank was sacked last week and are looking for new challenges

When Thomas Frank was sacked by Tottenham last week it was not just the Dane who was left looking for a new job.

The 52-year-old parted ways with the north London outfit after losing the support of the fans with Spurs in 16th place in the Premier League table, albeit with their place in the last 16 of the Champions League assured. While some of Frank's newer members of staff and those who has already been at the club remained to help new boss Igor Tudor, some of his long-known faces and one new one left with him.

The club announced that first team assistant coaches Justin Cochrane and John Heitinga as well as head of performance and first team assistant coach Chris Haslam had left the club. However, they did not announce another well-regarded member of Frank's staff had also left and that was first team coach analyst Joe Newton, who had followed the Dane from Brentford in the summer.

The 30-year-old also found himself out of a job and on Monday posted a message of thanks on LinkedIn to those he had worked with and how much he would take from the experience at Spurs.

"A week or so ago, my time at Tottenham Hotspur came to an end. Although it’s ended a lot sooner than I and others had hoped for, I am still thankful for the opportunity," said Newton. "Even in a short seven/eight months I have gained many valuable experiences.

"I really enjoyed my Coach Analyst role, working in the Champions League, building on existing relationships with Thomas and others, as well as creating relationships with new coaches, analysts and other staff. As the cliché goes, when one door closes another one opens. I’m looking forward to what is next in my career."

His post received plenty of comments of support from those staff he worked with at Hotspur Way.

First team academy transition coach Stuart Lewis said: "Great getting to know you and working with you mate! Top person! Wishing you all the best for the future."

Goalkeeper coaches Fabian Otte and Dean Brill said, respectively, "You’re the best Joe!!" and "Absolute pleasure mate", while various other members of support staff at the club also passed on their good wishes to the analyst ahead of the next chapter of his career.

It's time to check in with Spurs' huge army of loan players as they faced another busy week of match action across the globe

Tottenham have a whopping 18 players out on loan and plenty of them have been earning praise in a busy week of goals and action.

Spurs have players out on learning their trade across the Football League as well as spread out across Scotland, Germany, Italy and South America with the club's Head of Loans and Pathways Andy Scoulding keeping a close eye on all them and their various situations.

With a new manager set to be in charge in the summer some of them will be looking impress and gain themselves an opportunity under the next man in the Tottenham dugout in order to carve out a career for themselves at the north London club. Others are just looking to develop or put themselves in the shop window for the summer transfer market.

Spurs had 19 players out on loan but left-back Callum Logan appears to have returned from his spell at National League side Braintree Town to play for Spurs' U21s.

Here's how every single one of Tottenham's other 18 loan players got on across the world this week.

Mikey Moore (Rangers)

Mikey Moore saved the day for Rangers with an 88th minute equaliser as they fought back from 2-0 down to grab a point away against 10-man Livingston.

Moore, playing in a central number 10 role, almost set up an early goal for Rangers with a deep curling cross to Andreas Skov Olsen, only for the keeper to save his header. The 18-year-old then curled in an effort himself after Rangers had gone a goal down to the bottom side that was pushed aside by the stopper.

Moore set up an opportunity early in the second half for Bojan Miovski and had his own low effort stopped by the goalkeeper himself only for the hosts to score again to stun the Glasgow giants.

After the red card for Cristian Montano, Emmanuel Fernandez managed to hit an 81st minute rocket of a goal back.

The stage was set for the Spurs teenager to score a rare headed goal with a lovely flicked effort from James Tavernier's cross.

There was still time for Moore to dribble into the Livingston box and appear to be brought down as he went to shoot, yet a long VAR check resulted in nothing for the visitors.

Moore has now racked up 36 appearances this season, scoring five goals and laying on three assists. The teenager got plenty of praise from the Scottish media and from the Rangers fans for his performance in the game.

Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)

Tottenham fans can look forward to seeing Luka Vuskovic getting experience at the World Cup this summer with Croatia.

Croatia assistant boss Ivica Olic has said in an interview with media outlet Jutarnji that the talented teenage defender will be heading to the USA at the end of the season.

"I will still talk to Zlatko Dalic, but I can say that Vuskovic will one hundred percent go with the senior team to America, considering the problems that exist in the senior team, and Luka is playing so well in HSV that he is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga. For him, the youth team is a finished story," said the former Bayern striker.

Vuskovic continues to go from strength to strength at Hamburg and plenty of the world's top sides have been circling him with interest. However Spurs have him locked into a long-term contract and will want to get him involved in first team affairs next season, although the youngster would no doubt love to play alongside his brother Mario at Hamburg when he returns from suspension.

Vuskovic missed out on HSV's 1-1 draw at Mainz on Friday as he was suspended, after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the 3-2 home win the previous weekend against Union Berlin.

The Croatian has made 21 appearances and played 1,920 minutes so far for the Bundesliga outfit.

Kota Takai (Borussia Monchengladbach)

Kota Takai is beginning to get starts with back-to-back 90 minute appearances for Borussia Monchengladbach including Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Freiburg.

The 21-year-old Japan international is still adapting to the European game and is expected to gradually settle into life away from the J-League and the faster and more physical nature of German football.

The centre-back has made six appearances now in the Bundesliga and will be looking to get his fitness and sharpness back after months spent out through injury after he arrived at Tottenham.

Dane Scarlett (Hibernian)

Dane Scarlett continues to get minutes for Hibernian and came off the bench in the final half hour of their big 2-1 victory at Celtic on Sunday.

The 21-year-old played his part in the win and the Edinburgh Evening News gave the Spurs striker a 5.5 in their player ratings with a review that sounded better than that score: "On for Elding with 59 minutes on the clock. Spurs loanee led line well."

Scarlett has made five appearances now up north of the border with one assist and 236 minutes to his name.

Manor Solomon (Fiorentina)

Manor Solomon will be looking to continue his run of starts in Serie A as Fiorentina welcome Pisa on Monday night. The Israel international has scored two goals in his past three matches and has become a regular fixture on either wing.

The 26-year-old winger has eight Serie A appearances to his name already, two more than the total of La Liga games he got for Villarreal in the first half of the season and also made one appearance in the Italian cup with 545 minutes to his name in Italy.

Alejo Veliz (Rosario Central)

Alejo Veliz is six games into the new league season with Rosario Central and will be looking to get back among the goals after only scoring in the second match of the season a month ago.

The 22-year-old is expected to head to Bahia at the end of the season after Tottenham agreed a deal with the Brazilian side to sell Veliz once his current loan at Rosario ends. A £7.8m (9m euros) deal was agreed with £871k in add-ons (1m euros) plus a 20% sell-on clause.

Alfie Devine (Preston North End)

Alfie Devine continues to be a central figure for Preston but he could not stop them from going down 1-0 at struggling Blackburn in the Championship on Friday night.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been earning plaudits aplenty during his season at the Championship side but he and Preston found it tough to break through at Ewood Park.

Devine received a six for his efforts in the Lancashire Post's player ratings with the review: "Some bright moments in the first half but drifted out of the game."

Devine has made 32 league appearances, including six goals and two assists from midfield with another two appearances in the Carabao Cup, plus an assist, and a substitute appearance in the FA Cup to make it 2,371 minutes in total so far this season.

Will Lankshear & Jamie Donley (Oxford United)

Jamie Donley is back in action after six weeks out following a horrendous aerial collision on his debut for Oxford in the FA Cup at the start of last month which left him knocked out for a short period and with injuries to his neck, shoulder and ribs.

After starting in the FA Cup defeat at Sunderland last week, the 21-year-old got more minutes in his tank with Saturday's 0-0 draw at high-flying Middlesbrough bringing a much-needed point for second-from-bottom Oxford. Will Lankshear got back-to-back starts after the cup match with 87 minutes against Middlesbrough.

After making his return against Sunderland, Donley told the Oxford Mail: "It’s definitely a lot better than my first appearance in an Oxford shirt so I was looking forward to it and just wanted to enjoy it really because I haven’t had a lot of football recently.

"I enjoyed it and obviously it would’ve been a lot nicer to win but it’s good to get out on the pitch. I think when you come to a new club, the easiest way to get used to the players is playing games and getting game time and obviously that didn’t happen how I wanted it to. But I think I’ve joined in with the lads really well and hopefully I can start putting in good performances for everyone."

Yang Min-hyeok (Coventry)

Yang Min-hyeok has missed out on the squad for Coventry's victories against Middlesbrough and West Brom in the Championship in the past week.

The 19-year-old winger had made 16 appearances for Portsmouth, scoring three goals and laying on one assist, before switching to Frank Lampard's Premier League-chasing side.

However, the South Korean has only made one start for Coventry so far with his first experience of FA Cup football last month and the third round defeat at Stoke City as well as three Championship appearances totalling 29 minutes of football.

Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips continues to scrap with Stoke for every point they can get as they drew 2-2 with struggling Leicester City in the Championship on Saturday.

The 20-year-old centre-back continues to barely miss a minute of action and Stoke-on-Trent Live gave him a six in their player ratings with the write-up: "Throws himself into defending duties but needed more help from players in front of him to press properly as game went on."

Phillips has made 32 appearances this season for Stoke with a huge 2,624 minutes to his name.

Oliver Irow & George Abbott (Mansfield)

Oliver Irow had to sit on the bench and watch Mansfield's 2-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City in League One on Saturday afternoon. George Abbott got 11 minutes to his name in that game as he continues his gradual return from a season fragmented by injury, having scored on his debut earlier this month against Peterborough.

Irow had enjoyed a spectacular two-goal debut himself for Mansfield against Port Vale last month.

Now the Spurs duo will be looking to play a part as Mansfield host AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.

Yusuf Akhamrich (Bristol Rovers)

Yusuf Akhamrich continues to go from strength to strength for Bristol Rovers and bagged a goal and assist in their 3-1 victory in League Two against Grimsby Town

The 20-year-old winger has been on the bench twice in the Champions League this season for Spurs and once in the Premier League without being handed his debut before announcing himself in senior football with a sensational brace of goals in last month's win for Rovers against Newport County.

He scored again in the following match against Walsall before going three matches with a goal until Saturday's win and his two goal involvements, his goal a controlled low finish into the net.

The Bristol Post's Will Murray handed Akhamrich an eight in his player ratings with the review: "Akhamrich is pretty good, isn't he? What an impact the Spurs loanee has had, with four goals at The Mem already. He missed out on the starting line-up at Oldham Athletic, but returned today and was a constant threat. His assist to Quigley was pinpoint, and his second-half strike was well deserved. A lot of the creative emphasis was on Akhamrich today, especially in the first-half, and he stepped up brilliantly."

Alfie Dorrington (Salford City)

Alfie Dorrington is getting into the swing of things himself in League Two and grabbed his first Football League assist in Salford City's 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 20-year-old centre-back is back in the English game after returning from Aberdeen and has started three of Salford's last four matches, including the 2-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat at Manchester City.

Salford were 2-1 up with 14 minutes to go despite Luke Garbutt's 48th minute red card but conceded twice to Cheltenham in the final minutes including a heart-breaking 96th minute winner for George Miller. Dorrington had flicked on a long throw for Zach Awe to make it 2-1 but the 10-man visitors could not hold on.

Tyrese Hall (Notts County)

Tyrese Hall has been coming off the bench in recent weeks and got 26 minutes in Notts County's 5-0 romp against Tranmere on Saturday in League Two.

The 20-year-old midfielder has notched six goals and two assists across 1,632 minutes in 31 appearances since heading out of Tottenham.

Damola Ajayi (Bromley)

Damola Ajayi found himself an unused substitute for the second weekend in a row as League Two side Bromley drew 0-0 at Harrogate Town on Saturday

The 20-year-old winger has managed 22 appearances across his spells at Bromley and Doncaster Rovers in a season of development.

Aaron Maguire (Hampton & Richmond Borough)

Aaron Maguire played every minute of his first three matches for National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough but has not been in the squad for their past two matches this week.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper is enjoying his first experience of senior football with the non-league outfit.

Arsenal face some fresh injury concerns after the 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, as the Premier League leaders saw Bukayo Saka hobble off in the north London derby

Arsenal have some worrying injury concerns to manage after their crucial win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. The Gunners claimed a 4-1 victory in the north London derby on Sunday afternoon to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Mikel Arteta’s side restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, after Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 24 hours earlier to temporarily close the gap to just two points, with Arsenal now having played one game more.

Next up for Arsenal is a home clash against Chelsea in the Premier League next weekend, but Arteta will have some fitness concerns going into the match.

Bukayo Saka handed Arsenal an injury scare during the win over Tottenham, while Kai Havertz and Ben White both missed the fixture. Max Dowman and Mikel Merino were also absent from the win in the North London Derby.

Here, football.london takes a look at Arsenal’s current injury list and potential return dates after their win over Tottenham.

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Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka emerged as an injury scare for Arsenal after limping off the pitch in the closing stages of the win over Tottenham.

There was no update from Arteta after the victory over Spurs, and Arsenal will be hoping that the England international is fit enough to feature in the Gunners’ next match against Chelsea.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has missed Arsenal’s last four matches with a hamstring injury and it remains uncertain when the forward will return.

The German has previously spent a large portion of the campaign recovering from a knee injury, and both Havertz and the Gunners will be hoping for a recovery in time for the Chelsea fixture.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Ben White

Ben White missed Arsenal’s win over Tottenham with an unspecified injury. The Gunners will be hoping that the defender does not spend any more time on the sidelines.

“It was Ben, he had a little niggle yesterday and he couldn't make the game,” Arteta told Sky Sports before kick-off in the North London Derby on Sunday.

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino suffered an ankle injury last month that is expected to leave him on the sidelines for several months.

Merino underwent surgery earlier this season and could be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

"Well, I think the doctors were really happy the way it went," Arteta said earlier this month. "Yeah, now it starts.

"Obviously, it's a long process. You're talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient. You respect the timings, and I'm sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up the process. We're talking about months, whether it's three, four or five, we don't know."

Potential return date: June/July

Max Dowman

Max Dowman has been recovering from an ankle injury since December, and is getting closer to a return to the matchday squad after taking part in first-team training this month.

"He's doing very well," said Arteta. "I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he just needs to pick up the rhythm and be available for us. He's doing very well. I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he just needs to pick up the rhythm and be available for us."

Potential return date: March 1 - Chelsea (H) - Premier League

Peter Bankes raised eyebrows when he adjudged Randal Kolo Muani to have fouled Gabriel Magalhaes during the North London Derby

Keith Hackett believes Tottenham Hotspur were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the North London Derby. Randal Kolo Muani thought he had levelled proceedings for a second time on Sunday evening, but his effort was chalked off for an alleged foul on Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up.

As the Spurs striker latched onto a deflected cross from Conor Gallagher, he ever so lightly prodded the Arsenal defender, who at this stage still had two feet planted on the turf, in the back with two hands. Gabriel proceeded to jump in the air and dramatically flail his hands above his head.

The Brazil international fell to the ground as if he had been pushed while airborne, and Peter Bankes awarded the Gunners a free-kick. The Video Assistant Referee, Darren England, and his assistant, Timothy Wood, confirmed the on-field decision from Stockley Park, and Kolo Muani's goal was ruled out.

The decision raised eyebrows, knowing that Hugo Ekitike went unpunished for a similar incident with Cristian Romero earlier in the season. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett suggested that Bankes was deceived by Gabriel's theatrics.

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"What the referee has to decide is whether the Arsenal player is backing in. What makes it so stupid in this situation is that we see grappling going unpunished, but something as soft as this is punished.

"No wonder spectators are confused by the quality of these decisions. The player is backing in with the intention of achieving exactly what he’s achieved."

The former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief added: "A push starts with a bent arm, and it straightens – that’s a push. Here, we have a straight arm, and the player is using a degree of balance while maintaining space."

Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd also reviewed the incident on Sky Sports. The former, who officiated nearly 400 games in the Premier League, said: "The referee gives it.

"The on-field decision is always going to stand, he thinks there is enough of a push. VAR is never going to say he's got it wrong as the evidence is there."

Meanwhile, the latter, who played 598 times before hanging up his boots in 2022, said: "I thought it was really soft. When you look at the trajectory of the ball, Gabriel is underneath the ball, and he realises he is in that position.

"It is not enough to react in the way he did. He has fooled the referee."

The decision could prove costly at the end of the season, with Arsenal gunning for the title and Tottenham fighting for survival. Mikel Arteta's side went on to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League, while the Lilywhites failed to distance themselves from a relegation battle.

Igor Tudor has a lot of work to do before Tottenham Hotspur return to action at the weekend

Igor Tudor was spotted barking orders at his backline during the first half of the North London Derby, and Micky van de Ven's reaction spoke volumes about the current state of Tottenham Hotspur.

The interim head coach was visibly frustrated with his team for much of the tie, marching up and down his technical area. But one moment shortly before half-time, which was caught on camera by a fan in the stands, was particularly poignant.

During a break in play, Tudor urged his centre-backs to push up, shouting and gesticulating frantically from the sidelines. Although Van de Ven was in the frame of the shot, the Croatian appeared to be directing his discontent at Radu Dragusin.

Despite his best efforts to get the backline to step up, the Spurs defender ignored his instructions. Even Van de Ven, who was donning the captain's armband in the absence of Cristian Romero and in earshot of Tudor, failed to acknowledge his boss and relay the message.

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After realising that neither Dragusin nor the Netherlands international had taken his order on board, Tudor composed himself and applauded his players. The interim Tottenham boss eventually caught Van de Ven's attention and somewhat pulled him into position.

Spurs went on to lose the North London Derby, and Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman pointed the finger at Tudor, who decided to man-mark the Gunners across the park.

Van de Ven claimed that the decision didn't pay off, with Randal Kolo Muani losing Eberechi Eze for the opener and Viktor Gyokeres darting ahead of Joao Palhinha to put Arsenal ahead just two minutes after the restart.

"Arsenal were the better team," the centre-back conceded. "We were still in the game at 1-1, but after the second half, they scored straight away, and then it was really difficult.

"We could do the press a bit better. We pressed high, but Arsenal came out of it. It's something we need to work on. They were the better team today.

"It's a risk when you go man for man, and if one man is late, then you're going to be open, but when you win the ball high, there are so many options for us. But on the opposite, when they come out, it's a big risk."

Meanwhile, Tudor bemoaned his backline's lack of urgency to step up and press. The Croatian said: "Too much problems in this moment in time that this level of team will not punish you.

"Because you wanted to go to press high, but to press high from back you need to jump, so if you are late and don’t take the ball around there, also with the ball... so we prepare to press high but we didn’t take the ball.

"We need more time to be in a physical moment and physical situation that we can go strong and take the ball. Now we are not in that moment. Also, even with the ball, a lack of confidence is very evident in the team.

"We wanted and prepared to do the things but there is an opponent, but there is a reality today. I’m very sad and very angry and everything but in one way it is also good to understand where is our goal.

"What is the goal of this club? What is the goal of this team? What is this goal of this coach, these players, this staff? To become serious. Serious, not just a group of 20 players, and the medicine is you look in the mirror.

"Each of us look in the mirror and really try, really start to change the habits - working hard is the only way..."

Dele Alli's return on Sunday to the club where he made his name stirred a wide range of emotions among the Tottenham supporters present.

The 29-year-old shot into the stratosphere as one of the brightest young talents in world football, his goals and assists more frequent than many of the Premier League's best who came before and have come since. The former England international, who is currently without a club, still hopes to return to those heights after struggling to recapture his form in his moves since leaving Spurs in 2022.

Dele racked up 126 goal involvements in 269 matches for Tottenham after arriving as a teenager from MK Dons and his return to N17 on Sunday at half-time during the north London derby was one of the most emotional moments this difficult season at the club has brought so far.

Many of the 61,439 fans inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had remained in their seats waiting for the midfielder to walk out of the tunnel to see them again and they greeted him with the chant that still often rings out today, informing everyone that they just don't understand that he "only cost five mill" and he is in fact "better than Ozil".

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The bespectacled Dele stood in the centre circle and looked emotional as the chant boomed out around him. He then lifted the microphone to his lips and said: "It's been a while and I hope you guys have missed me as much as I've missed you.

"I think a lot has happened in both of our journeys since I left but we're back together now and I think that you guys will be my family for the rest of my life."

For Tottenham fans the occasion whipped up a blend of different emotions. It brought back the memories of what Dele was capable of, the eye-catching goals against Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea and many more and also a sadness that he could not maintain his remarkable ascent and do so at Spurs for longer.

Dele's return and the montage of his wonderful moments on the four big screens around the stadium also served to remind the fanbase just how far their club has fallen.

The days of Dele combining effortlessly with Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen in the DESK attack feel like a lifetime ago. A time when Mousa Dembele would boss the midfield and not let any opposition player take the ball from him. They tried but they just bounced off.

It was a period when Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen marshalled the back line with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose bombing down the flanks while a World Cup-winning goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris often pulled off spectacular saves when anything did manage to get through.

Under Mauricio Pochettino that team packed full of talent grew together with each passing season. It finished in the top three in three consecutive seasons, with two title challenges, before a final full campaign together when Spurs ended up fourth in the table and in their first ever Champions League final.

Just six-and-a-half years later and Tottenham are a complete and utter mess. Some of it leads back to the poor decisions made in those days in failing to bolster and rejuvenate the Argentine's side to prevent it and him getting stale, particularly those two transfer-less windows in that final full season.

Some of it falls upon the poor decisions made since with no clear plan or identity when it came to appointing a string of wildly different managers and styles while also spending money on potential rather than the present and then wondering why the present was not particularly good.

Spurs have gone from regular challengers at the top of the table and one of Europe's most exciting teams to spending back-to-back seasons trudging away down the bottom of the Premier League and now facing the very clear and present danger of relegation.

The swashbuckling style of that young, thrilling Pochettino team is nowhere to be seen in today's Tottenham. The past seven months of the Thomas Frank tenure, not helped by yet another crippling injury list, have resulted in a scarred and scared team that has no sense of how to attack as a unit, relying on set pieces and hopeful punts forward to score goals.

It's no coincidence that set piece coach Andreas Georgson was kept on after Frank's sacking because the Swede has been one of the few positives of a miserable Premier League campaign.

Now the task falls upon Igor Tudor to mould something out of the mess that lies before him. His expression on Sunday after the second-half hammering from Arsenal was one of realisation at what he has taken on.

One of Europe's best football firefighters of recent years has found a blaze that even he is shocked by and it is going to take an enormous effort to contain and eventually put out.

The Tottenham fans deserve better than what they have been served up. They were magnificent for much of Sunday's derby before realising in the final minutes that the chasm between the two north London clubs is just too huge right now and they began to depart for home and anything else to watch.

Many probably walked away turning their minds instead to the days of Dele and that special Spurs team. How that side did not win silverware and was not built upon to become a legacy rather than a distant memory is one of football's biggest missteps. They had Alli, Dele Alli and I just don't think they understood.