CRISTIAN ROMERO reposted a claim on social media that he was tired during the North London derby.
And the post suggested his fatigue was because Tottenham did not lay on a private jet for him to return from international duty.
The centre-back, known as ‘Cuti’, played in Argentina’s 2-1 defeat in Colombia on Wednesday, five days prior to Sunday’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal.
National federations are responsible for arranging flights for their players to and from the countries where they are playing domestically.
But some clubs are known to organise private travel at their own cost to get their stars home quicker from international duty.
Spurs generally do not do this and felt no need to this week for Romero, specifically because Thursday was a day off for Ange Postecoglou’s squad.
Yet prominent Argentine TV reporter Gaston Edul wrote on X, which Romero retweeted, a post in Spanish that translated to: “Tottenham lost to Arsenal again.
“They weren’t able to fight until the end because they weren’t across the details.
“It was the only Premier League club that made their international players return, on their own and without proper logistics, on the decision of the club’s leadership.
“They gave away the advantage because their players arrived with less rest than the others: Cuti Romero played with tiredness.”
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Romero later deleted his repost of Edul’s tweet.
The 26-year-old centre-back was at fault for Arsenal’s winner, being easily shrugged off by Gabriel at a corner which the Brazilian defender then headed home in the 64th minute.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win is the Gunners’ third victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a row.
This time doing it without a number of their top stars including both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
