Manchester United and England icon Wayne Rooney has launched a scathing attack on Tottenham Hotspur's mentality, labelling Ange Postecoglou's side "soft" and questioning their bottle for a fight following their derby day demolition.
The brutal assessment came after Spurs were thoroughly outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to their bitter North London rivals, Arsenal, a result that severely dents their hopes of securing a coveted Champions League spot.
A Damning Verdict on Tottenham's Character
Speaking on Sky Sports, Rooney didn't hold back in his criticism. "I look at Tottenham and I think they are a bit soft," he declared. The former striker pinpointed a critical lack of resilience, suggesting the team's spirit evaporates when they fall behind. "There was a five or ten-minute period where they had a few chances, but as soon as Arsenal scored, you never felt Tottenham were going to get back into the game."
Top Four Hopes Hanging by a Thread
The comprehensive loss leaves Tottenham seven points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa, though they retain two games in hand. The manner of the defeat, however, raised more significant concerns than just the points gap. Rooney's comments cut to the heart of a long-standing narrative surrounding the club's perceived lack of grit in crucial moments.
He contrasted Tottenham's collapse with the relentless mentality of a champion team, stating, "When you are trying to qualify for the Champions League and you are up against a team like Villa, you need to have more about you than what they showed."
Ange's Philosophy Under the Microscope
While manager Ange Postecoglou has been widely praised for implementing an attractive, attacking style of football since his arrival, Rooney's critique suggests a fatal flaw. The performance against Arsenal exposed a potential vulnerability in his system—a lack of pragmatism and defensive steel when faced with elite opposition.
The defeat serves as a stark reality check for Spurs, proving that style must be married with substance and a hardened mentality to compete at the very top of the Premier League.
