How do you solve a problem like Hugo? Tottenham's problems are widespread but none are more alarming or pressing than addressing the issues with their last line of defence.
Despite collecting 23 points from their first 11 matches – their best start to any Premier League campaign – Spurs have amassed only 10 more from their last eight. Tottenham's timidity on the ball has been an issue all season while their concession of first goals has been commonplace. Of their 33 points from 19 matches, 14 have had to be clawed back from losing positions.
And while it would be unfair to single out one player to blame for Tottenham's problems, Hugo Lloris' blunders are too frequent and many to be ignored.
Lloris' latest gaffe came at a huge cost in last Sunday's North London derby. The Frenchman allowed a tame Bukayo Saka effort – admittedly with the aid of a deflection – to bounce off him and into his own net from an angle that should not have caused any goalkeeper problems, let alone a two-time World Cup finalist.
Tottenham v Arsenal ratings
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TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 4. Was at fault for Arsenal’s opener when Saka’s shot somehow squirmed past the Spurs captain at his near post from the tightest of angles. Reuters -
Cristian Romero – 5. Didn’t look assured at the back and the emotions of the fixture seemed to get to him, the Argentine making the occasional mistake alongside some rash tackles. Reuters -
Eric Dier – 5. A birthday to forget for the centre-half who struggled to deal with Arsenal's attacking prowess. AP -
Clement Lenglet – 5. Couldn’t handle the pace of Arsenal’s attack. Spurs' defence looked alarmingly vulnerable at times. Action Images -
Matt Doherty – 6. Looked shaky defensively in his wing-back position and struggled with the overlaps of Zinchenko. Offered the occasional promising cross from the right flank. AFP -
Pape Sarr – 6. Although a day to forget for his side, the young talent showed some positive signs in midfield. Getty -
Pierre Hojbjerg – 5. Produced some enticing deliveries into the box which were not taken advantage of. AFP -
Ryan Sessegnon – 6. Could have done better defensively to stop Saka’s drive towards the box, which led to the away side breaking the deadlock. However, he provided a real threat going forward, and had a great opportunity to reduce the deficit but his effort was well saved. EPA -
Dejan Kulusevski – 6. Looked the most likely to create something threatening going forward as his side searched for a way back into the game. Did well to drive with purpose at the Arsenal defence but was not enough in the end. AFP -
Son Heung-min - 5. Had a great opportunity to level the score but his effort was palmed away by Ramsdale. Other than the first half chance, he struggled to get himself in the game. EPA -
Harry Kane – 5. Had several clear-cut chances to get on the scoresheet but Ramsdale was able to keep his efforts out. Not a North London derby to remember for Tottenham’s main man. AP -
SUBS: Richarlison – (Doherty, 71) N/A - Provided a different dimension in attack with his side looking to rescue the game, but failed to offer anything threatening. Reuters -
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Yves Bissouma of Tottenham Hotspur runs with the ball during the Friendly match between Tottenham Hotpsur and OGC Nice at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 21, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson / Getty Images) -
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose / Getty Images) -
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Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 7, 2023 Tottenham Hotspur's Bryan Gil and Son Heung-min during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs -
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale – 8. Made several crucial saves, especially in the second half when Spurs were trying to get back in the game. An excellent performance from Arsenal’s number one. PA -
Ben White – 6. Struggled with the pace of Sessegnon when the Spurs man came forward, but did well to contain Son. AFP -
William Saliba – 7. There were a few dramatic moments at the end of the first half when the defender appeared to follow through his challenge on Doherty in the box, but referee Craig Pawson waved away the penalty shouts. A composed outing from the Frenchman. Getty -
Gabriel Magalhaes – 8. A solid day at the office from the central defender who didn’t put a foot wrong, and who dealt with the physicality of Kane in the box. Getty -
Oleksandr Zinchenko –7. Sound defensively and kept Kulusevski at bay. Going forward, he looked threatening and combined well with Martinelli. EPA -
Martin Odegaard – 9. As usual, the Norwegian made Arsenal tick and topped off his performance when his effort from outside the box found the bottom right corner of the net to extend the lead. AP -
Thomas Partey – 9. Started an attack by playing a ball over the top to Saka, which resulted in his side taking the lead. The Ghanaian was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet after his powerful long-range strike in the first half clattered the post. AP -
Granit Xhaka – 7. Known for his hot-headed antics on the pitch, the fierceness of this derby did not affect him this time and the midfielder had a cool and composed shift. Getty -
Bukayo Saka – 8. Another top performance from Saka who seems to be producing these displays week after week. His intelligent run down the right gave him the space to fire a shot directly at Lloris to give his side the lead. Reuters -
Eddie Nketiah – 7. Pressed well from the front and used his pace to get behind and threaten the opponent’s back line. Had a chance to make it 3-0, but his shot was well stopped. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli – 6. Not his most lively outing, but the Brazilian offered the occasional problem from the left wing. PA -
SUBS: Kieran Tierney (Martinelli, 79) N/A - The Scot’s arrival meant there was an extra defender on the pitch for his side, which helped get Arsenal over the line and take away all three points. Getty Images -
Takehiro Tomiyasu, (Zinchenko, 86’) N/A - Shored things up defensively. Getty -
Emile Smith Rowe, (Nketiah, 90+3’) N/A - Came on with seconds left to just wind the clock down and secure the victory for Arteta’s side. AFP -
Fabio Vieira (Odegaard, 90+4) N/A - Was subbed on with seconds to go and didn’t impact the game. Getty
This was no isolated incident. Premier League statistics do not count own goals as errors leading to a goal but the reality is that Lloris' mistakes have cost his side on at least four occasions this season – and that's before taking into account his passing that constantly puts his teammates under unnecessary pressure.
Arsenal have been beneficiaries in both encounters this season. During October's first meeting at the Emirates, Lloris' weak save from Saka's initial effort forced a goalmouth scramble in which Cristian Romero miskicked the ball back to Lloris, though the Frenchman was ultimately at fault as he let the ball roll under his body, allowing Gabriel Jesus to smash home as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners.
A mad dash from goal saw him collide with Callum Wilson before the Newcastle United striker turned and lobbed the stranded Frenchman in a league match later that month, while his attempt to keep out Miguel Almiron's effort left plenty to be desired, too.
Lloris' first match after losing the World Cup final on penalties with France produced another error-strewn display in the New Year's Day meeting with Aston Villa. The Spurs stopper inexplicably spilt a routine Douglas Luiz shot from 35-yards and was then beaten to the rebound by Ollie Watkins who set up Emiliano Buendia to score.
There are plenty of other examples: during the 2017/18 season, he made as many as five during the Premier League season – his worst to date – and that's without factoring in the biggest gaffe in World Cup final history when he was tackled by Mario Mandzukic trying to dribble round the Croatia striker from inside his own six-yard box.
France were 4-1 up at the time, so no real harm done, but on another day, that lapse in concentration could have cost Les Bleus the biggest prize of all.
There is no denying Lloris is capable of the spectacular, and his leadership qualities have helped guide the club through their most successful period in decades. But his propensity to commit avoidable mistakes should make his place in Tottenham's goal vulnerable. The reality is, with only veteran Fraser Forster as a viable alternative, the Spurs captain is likely to keep his place for the Premier League trip to Manchester City on Thursday.
Lloris signed a two-year contract extension in January 2022 but Spurs boss Antonio Conte must surely now be considering replacing the former Lyon keeper if he hopes to sustain Spurs' top-four challenge. Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak as well as David Raya and Jordan Pickford of Brentford and Everton respectively have been linked with January moves.
Arsenal's 2-0 win at their North London neighbours put them eight points clear at the summit and left Spurs five points off the Champions League places. Unless the issue of Lloris the liability is addressed, Spurs' woes are only set to worsen at the Etihad.
