Rival manager Mikel Arteta paid credit to Ange Postecoglou for installing “spirit” in a “well-coached” Tottenham team after Spurs twice fought back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Arsenal.
While disappointed that his Gunners side allowed Spurs to equalise twice in the north London derby at Emirates Stadium, Arteta was also impressed with Tottenham’s display under former Socceroos coach Postecoglou.
Spurs are yet to lose in the Premier League this season, having won four and drawn two of their six matches.
“I think they’re a really good side,” Arteta said.
“They’re really well-coached. You can feel the spirit within the team, (and) the energy within them.”
However, Arteta said was also “too early” in the season to speculate how far Postecoglou could take Spurs in his first season in charge of the club.
It came after Arteta earlier this week: “I really like him. I had players and I know players that had him and they always speak really, really highly of him. That’s not a coincidence.
“You can tell straight away he’s fitting in the right way. That’s the beauty of this league that we have top, top managers.”
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Postecoglou full of praise for Spurs | 00:41
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Postecoglou said Spurs were “outstanding … against a top team, at a difficult venue”.
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min scored twice for his side, while Arsenal’s goals came from a Cristian Romero own goal and a Bukayo Saka penalty after VAR intervention led to Romero being ruled to have committed a handball offence.
“We had to work our way into the game, and I thought we showed all elements of it,” Postecoglou told SpursPlay.
“When we had to defend, I thought we defended really well. We played our football and when it didn’t work, we persisted, which was great, all underpinned by a strong work ethic and outstanding character.”
“There were times where we had to be really strong and resilient. Then when we got a foothold in the game, I thought our football was outstanding … and then we had the quality in the front third to capitalise.”
VAR call leaves Ange ‘disconsolate’ | 01:12
Postecoglou was left confused by the handball ruling against Romero, who was struck in the arm by a Ben White shot from close range.
“It seems like sometimes it hits your hand and it’s a penalty and then other times it’s not,” the former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach said.
“Any clarity would be great. I have no idea what a handball is now.”