Antonio Conte claimed Emerson Royal's red card "killed the game" as Spurs slumped to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby.
In a very disappointing performance by Tottenham, it was Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who were much the better side, with a screamer from Thomas Partey before another derby goal by Harry Kane from the penalty spot saw the sides go in level at the interval.
What a way to open the scoring!! 😲
Thomas Partey makes it 1-0 to Arsenal with a gorgeous finish after 20 minutes!😎 pic.twitter.com/d07hkTU6hh— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 1, 2022
However, with the game in the balance, Antonio Conte’s side were the architects of their own downfall, with Hugo Lloris gifting Gabriel Jesus Arsenal’s second, with Emerson Royal receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle on Gabriel Martinelli.
Granit Xhaka’s goal in the 67th minute put the game beyond Spurs’ reach, as Arsenal go four points clear at the top of the table.
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This was a huge result for Arsenal, who have made their best start to the season for quite some time. To get a result over Spurs is always special, especially after the 3-0 loss last season that cost them a place in top four.
For Spurs, it was a disappointing second half which gave them their first league defeat of the season.
This would have been particularly frustrating for Antonio Conte, a manager who prides himself on a solid defensive side that creates chances from counter attacking football.
"The game was over after 70 minutes!"
Antonio Conte gives his thoughts on his side's loss to Arsenal and why he made such big changes late on in the game... 🤍
🎙️ @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/55rvVA6Pe3— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 1, 2022
Speaking to reporters after the game, Conte questioned the decision of the referee and how he came to the red card decision.
“Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes you are unlucky. The red card killed the game, this is truth, but not because we remained with 10 men but because [our] team [which was] really, really offensive and also in the four or five minutes to make the substitutions.
I don't know what happened later but in England, I have to be honest, it is very difficult because they don't have the same line, you understand?
Sometimes you see situations that are yellow card but instead [there is] a red card. They have to work a lot about this. In Italy for example, our referees they go on Thursday to stay together [for] three days to work together, to look at video to try to improve.
I don't know if this happens in England but it would be a good idea because the [playing] level is so high, we need to have the level of the referee, of the VAR, at the same level."
SEE ALSO: BT Panel Say Emerson Royal "Killed" Spurs' North London Derby Chances
