Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, February 23, 2026, 07:50 / Updated Monday, February 23, 2026 07:51
Radu Drăgușin made an ok first half for nothing. His direct opponent, Viktor Gyokeres, scored…two goals in the second half, and the final score, 1-4, very clearly suggests the difference in class between the two teams.
A former Tottenham player hits the ground running with Radu Drăgușin
Although Tottenham's entire defense was a disaster, led by the much-vaunted Micky van de Ven, a former Spurs player, Jamie O'Hara, put a bad mark on the Romanian international.
Now a manager through the lower leagues, O'Hara burst out after the final whistle and wrote on his 'X' account that even Ronnie Henry, a 'no name' player he coached at lower league side Billericay Town, “would have done a better job against Arsenal”. Tough!
The “tottenhamhotspurnews.com” portal, however, defends Drăgușin with the numbers he ticked throughout the 90 minutes: 18 defensive contributions, 4 interceptions, 12 clearances, 2 blocked shots and 6 fumble recoveries. “His game doesn't seem to have been that terrible,” the publication noted.
Manager Igor Tudor's conclusion: “They are good players with bad habits”
The Sun tabloid, in turn, insisted on another aspect: “Tudor vehemently ordered his three defenders – Joao Palhinha, Radu Dragusin and captain Micky van de Ven – to 'push up'”. However, the former Lazio coach received no response from his players“.
The most “immune” to the requests of the Croatian technician would have been even Van de Ven, the captain – claims The Sun. The same newspaper concluded: “It appears that Tudor's frustrations were not unfounded, as post-match stats show that Tottenham rarely stepped into Arsenal's box and mostly focused on playing long balls“.
After the final whistle, at the press conference, the new manager of Tottenham assessed his players with whom he will have to save Tottenham from relegation: “They are good footballers with bad habits”.
Up-to-date standings in the Premier League
