Conte hits out after his side are Gunned down
ARSENAL 3 Partey (20), Jesus (49), Xhaka (67) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 Kane 31 (pen)
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte suggested referees and VAR officials were letting the Premier League down and said England could follow Italy’s example to improve standards after his side’s derby-day defeat at Arsenal.
Conte was speaking after seeing Emerson Royal shown a straight red card by Anthony Taylor in the second half for a tackle on Gabriel Martinelli.
The Gunners soared four points clear at the top of the table after goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka gave them a deserved victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Spurs, who had levelled through Harry Kane’s penalty, capitulated in the second half and were unable to recover after Emerson’s red card.
Conte, who initially said he did not want to comment on the decision, then unwound and insisted that the standard of officiating was not good enough.
“In England I have to be honest, it is very difficult because there isn’t the same line,” he said. “Sometimes you see a situation that could be a red card and instead is a yellow or no yellow, sometimes you see a situation that is a yellow card and you see a red card.
“They have to work a lot about this. In Italy, they go on Thursday and stay together for three days to work together, to look at the video and try and improve.
“The Premier League is a really high level and for this reason every part of this situation has to be top. The player is frustrated as he knows what happened, he knows the difficulty we had after the red card.
“Emerson is a young player, he is only 23, I think he has to try and exploit this situation to be better and in the next situation avoid totally the tackle.
“Honestly, the player was really surprised, not only him, but all of the players.”
It was a rousing start from Arsenal, Martinelli forcing an early corner with a low drive.
Spurs held their resolve and should have taken the lead themselves, Richarlison prevented from getting a clean strike at goal by team-mate Eric Dier as Aaron Ramsdale made a smart save.
Xhaka then arrowed a shot wide before his midfield partner showed him how it is done, Partey shaping up and curling home a fine finish for just his third Arsenal goal.
The lead would last just 11 minutes, however, a rash challenge from Gabriel Magalhaes on Richarlison leading to a penalty which Kane converted with the usual aplomb to continue his excellent form in this fixture, seven of his 14 goals against Arsenal coming from the spot.
Arsenal slowly regained their composure and Jesus danced past two defenders before testing Hugo Lloris just before the interval.
Mikel Arteta’s side started the second half at the same high intensity and soon reaped their rewards as Jesus restored their advantage.
Lloris could only palm a Bukayo Saka shot into the path of Cristian Romero, the ball ricocheting back under the Spurs captain and allowing Jesus to tap into a open goal from point-blank range.
The Brazil forward should have headed in a second moments later, but sent his effort well wide when picked out unmarked by Saka.
Tottenham’s task was made all the more difficult just after the hour when Emerson was shown a straight red card for a foul on Martinelli – who was then almost immediately involved in Arsenal’s third.
The Brazilian bundled his way towards goal, the ball ultimately breaking into the path of Xhaka, who finished superbly.
The three points continued Arsenal’s excellent start to the season and Arteta believes that victory in this game should give his players belief they can challenge at the top this season.
“For me the message is to the players and everybody here at the club that we are able to play at this level against this kind of opponent,” the Spaniard said. “That should give them confidence and belief.
“It’s great. Looking at the table and seeing the club in this position is great. It gives you a great feeling obviously. But we are focused.
“It’s a really hungry and humble team, believe me. It’s nothing that we have done yet and there’s still a lot of things to improve. That’s the direction we’re taking.
“We just started and we’re really happy with where we are. The table says what it says and we don’t look at that.
“Great performance, a great day. It was an incredible atmosphere to play in so I’m so grateful to the people who connect to the team in such a special way.
“I’m happy because it’s an opportunity to get a lot of people happy and proud.”