SPURS boss and mate to us all Ange Postecoglou was credited with showing some passion after Spurs went out of the FA Cup to Aston Villa on Sunday. This “passion” meant he rubbed his face in despair during a press conference and rabbited on about injuries. But most Tottenham fans have seen through the excuses simply because they always catch Pedro Porro in the wrong half whenever they let a goal in. That’s tactics, not injuries ­­– but, you know, carry on. This is who we are, mate.

• ARSENAL, some reports say, went a bit stingy when Aston Villa told them that Olly Watkins could leave for the right price during the transfer window. Villa are suddenly a club who look like they have too many attacking options, while the Gunners have far too few. But you are always going to struggle to haggle for the right price and will maybe pay over the odds while it’s so obvious you need to buy strikers. The seller will always have the upper hand when the purchaser is desperate. It’s dynamic pricing. Like bucket-hatted City fans trying to buy Oasis tickets. How on earth did Arsenal fall into this position of weakness?

• WELL done to Plymouth Argyle for toppling Liverpool but Arne Slot’s team selection was disrespectful. Is it really a shock for the ages when the favourites take out all of their main players and do not leave any on the subs bench either? Nobody wants to take away from Argyle’s place in history, but the real giant-killings are the ones where you see star players looking shocked at the final whistle. Sadly, the only example I can think
of right now is Wrexham beating the Gunners’ first team in 1992.

• THE time Jamie Carragher made a div of himself, part 4,500. The problem child was at it again last week when he appeared on a podcast saying he didn’t like to see Arsenal’s youthful full back Myles Lewis-Skelly mocking the more experienced Erling Haaland after the recent match at the Emirates. Just a couple of days earlier, he was on Sky celebrating Lewis-Skelly’s football “arrogance” and “presence”. It’s amazing how quickly pundits can change their minds when there are clicks to chase. As we all know, fans love a bit of rivalry and cheeky banter between players. What they don’t like is Sky Sports presenters spitting in people’s faces.

• WILLIAM Saliba was seen being a little non-commital to a fan in Dubai asking him never to leave for Real Madrid. Arsenal must strike now and win trophies soon if they want to keep their world class defender.