In a pre-season encounter far from the familiar roar of North London, Tottenham`s recent 1-0 victory over Arsenal in Hong Kong offered more than just a scoreline. While the poor pitch and friendly nature might suggest a lack of deeper meaning, a keen eye revealed a significant tactical shift for Spurs, particularly in their approach to dead-ball situations. This subtle but profound evolution, orchestrated by new set-piece coach Thomas Frank, could be a game-changer for Tottenham`s upcoming Premier League campaign.
The Unlikely Setting and Its Constraints
Picture it: a North London derby, thousands of miles from home, played on a surface that seemed to defy the very concept of professional football. The Kai Tak Sports Park pitch, described by some as resembling a “coastal grassland,” ensured that free-flowing football and pinpoint accuracy were largely theoretical concepts. Shots skewed wide, passes went astray, and the general play suffered, making any definitive judgments on team cohesion or individual brilliance largely moot.
This context is crucial. To over-analyze the open play in such conditions would be akin to judging a world-class chef`s skills based on a meal prepared in a broken kitchen. However, football, much like life, often reveals its most profound truths in the details that withstand adversity. And in this particular contest, those details resided squarely within the realm of the set piece.
Thomas Frank`s Surgical Impact: A Set-Piece Renaissance for Spurs
For the past two seasons under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s Achilles` heel was arguably their vulnerability from dead-ball situations. A staggering 27 goals conceded from set pieces in the Premier League painted a picture of a team surprisingly indifferent, or perhaps strategically dismissive, of a critical facet of modern football. Enter Thomas Frank, a name synonymous with meticulous set-piece mastery from his tenure at Brentford, where his side consistently turned dead balls into devastating offensive weapons.
Frank`s immediate appointment, coupled with the swift recruitment of Andreas Georgson from Manchester United, signaled a clear intent: Tottenham`s days of being a “glass jaw” from corners and free-kicks were over. What transpired in Hong Kong was an immediate, palpable demonstration of this new philosophy.
Arsenal, a team that knows the value of a well-delivered corner (scoring from 12 in the last two seasons), found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage. Pedro Porro initiated the onslaught, bending a corner with such precision that it curled over a crowded front post, bouncing just outside the goal line before cannoning off the stanchion. Moments later, on the opposite flank, Mohamed Kudus unleashed a corner with ferocity, which rebounded off the post, only for Richarlison to nearly guide it home. These were not mere speculative kicks; they were calculated deliveries designed to exploit vulnerabilities, a stark contrast to Spurs` previous approach.
Arsenal`s goalkeeper, David Raya, appeared visibly rattled. Spurs employed what might be termed the “Ben White treatment,” placing a white shirt (Richarlison) close to him, testing his confidence and obstructing his view on menacing aerial balls. This pressure culminated in the game`s sole goal: Raya, seemingly unsettled, made a sloppy pass into central midfield, allowing Richarlison to dispossess Myles Lewis-Skelly, setting up Pape Matar Sarr to drive home from range. While the VAR in a competitive match would have meticulously scrutinized Richarlison`s challenge, the friendly nature of the game allowed the goal to stand, providing Spurs with a tangible reward for their aggressive pressing and set-piece pressure.
Arsenal`s Perspective: A Conundrum or a Temporary Blip?
On the flip side, Arsenal`s inability to convert their 13 corners into significant threats on the Spurs goal might raise a few eyebrows. However, context is key here too. The Gunners were notably without Gabriel Magalhaes, arguably one of the world`s best set-piece players, currently rehabilitating an injury. It`s worth noting that 40% of the expected goals (xG) and 43% of the actual goals Arsenal conceded from set pieces last Premier League season came after the big Brazilian tore his hamstring. His return for the season opener against Manchester United is anticipated to stabilize their defensive solidity from dead balls.
Furthermore, the friendly setting meant that the stringent scrutiny of VAR was absent. Any goals from Tottenham`s corners would undoubtedly have undergone intense review for potential impediments on Raya. Thus, while Arsenal`s defensive frailties from set pieces were highlighted, their long-term outlook might not be as bleak as this pre-season fixture suggested, especially with key personnel returning.
Beyond the Scoreline: Implications for the Season Ahead
While a 1-0 friendly win in a distant land holds limited significance for league standings, the tactical revelations emerging from this encounter are anything but trivial. Tottenham, a team that for two years surrendered “cheap goals” due to a lack of set-play acumen, has now introduced a specialist renowned for exploiting these very situations. The early evidence suggests an immediate and meaningful improvement.
This newfound dead-ball potency adds a crucial dimension to Tottenham`s play, offering a structured avenue for goals that was previously lacking. For Postecoglou, having this additional tactical weapon, or rather, having a defensive shield against what was once a glaring weakness, significantly broadens his strategic options. As the Premier League season looms, rival managers will no longer view Spurs` corners as a comfortable defensive assignment but rather as a genuine threat.
The muddy Hong Kong pitch might have obscured much of the teams` general play, but it inadvertently highlighted the most impactful development of the match: Tottenham`s quiet but formidable revolution in the art of the set piece. This could well be the subtle advantage that makes a significant difference as the season progresses, turning former defensive liabilities into a surprising new source of attacking might.
