Theo Walcott labels one Tottenham star ‘very weak’ after controversial moment during Arsenal’s win

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal recorded a significant victory away at Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, but there were some controversial moments.

There was plenty of debate over whether defender Jurrien Timber was lucky to avoid a red card after a clash with Pedro Porro, but the Arsenal star stayed on the pitch to deliver an outstanding performance.

Gabriel Magalhaes netted the winner with a header from a corner, which highlighted Arsenal’s continued excellence at dead-ball situations, as well as Tottenham’s vulnerabilities in defending against set-pieces.

However, Arsenal icon Paul Merson claimed that Gabriel’s goal could have been disallowed for a push from the Brazilian on Spurs defender Cristian Romero. Theo Walcott disagrees, and has slammed the Argentinian for his role in the goal.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s top 10 North London derby moments against Tottenham Hotspur

Theo Walcott slams Cristian Romero after Gabriel Magalhaes goal vs Tottenham

Speaking on Match of the Day, former Arsenal star Walcott dismissed any suggestions that Gabriel’s goal could have been disallowed, highlighting that Romero was simply weak in the challenge.

“It’s a shove, but this is the thing, where if you’re smart and savvy as a defender, you would try and make more of a meal out of it,” Walcott stated of Gabriel’s goal and clash with Romero.

“Try and go down maybe to create havoc, to say ‘ref, there’s been a foul here,’ but it would have been weak.

“It was very weak of Romero not to be alive in that situation because Arsenal have worked on this day in day out, and that’s the difference in the setup now, when you have someone who works religiously on the set-pieces.”

Arsenal set-piece excellence shows Tottenham are levels below

Arsenal have become one of the best set-piece teams in the Premier League, with coach Nicolas Jover receiving plaudits for helping organise attacking and defensive set-piece tactical setups.

Meanwhile, Spurs under Ange Postecoglou clearly do not practice set-plays, and in the North London derby last season, they came undone as Arsenal scored twice.

Arsenal have recorded their third consecutive win at Tottenham, and many will be impressed by Arteta’s adaptability, whilst some may now raise questions about Postecoglou’s future.