Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou explains Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr substitutions in Arsenal defeat | OneFootball

Spurs fell to a disappointing defeat in the second north London derby of the season

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has explained his bold double substitution at half-time against Arsenal was in response to a poor opening 45 minutes.

However, a Dominic Solanke own goal and a strike from Leandro Trossard turned the game on its head in the space of four minutes.

Trailing at the break, Postecoglou opted to withdraw Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, replacing the pair with James Maddison and Brennan Johnson in an extremely attacking change.

Speaking about the decision in the post-match press conference, the Spurs manager revealed the first-half performance was not a reflection of him or the team.

"It wasn't about regaining control, it was having different intent in our football," Postecoglou told reporters. "It's not who we are, it's not the way I set the team up.

"It's not the way we want to play, to be sitting in there and allowing Arsenal to play to their tempo. It just wasn't good enough."

Ultimately the double substitution along with bringing on Richarlison late in the game did not have the desired impact as Spurs fell to a fourth Premier League defeat in their last five games.

The result leaves Tottenham 13th in the table, 14 points off the Champions League qualification places and Postecoglou admits his side's recent form outside of the domestic cup competitions have not been good enough.

"You've got no choice. There's no magic cure. You've got to get up tomorrow, work hard and go into Sunday (at Everton) and prepare to go into battle and turn around our fortunes and our season," he added.

"There's nothing magical that's going to change it. There's always reasons for all these things to happen, but the reality is that our results and our form in the league has been nowhere near good enough. That needs to change."