Brutal Tottenham stat shows why Ange Postecoglou is struggling to close Arsenal gap

Ange Postecoglou might be under fire for Tottenham’s lack of form right now, but statistics show why the Australian is up against it financially. Spurs are currently on a run of just one win in eight games, and were considered fortunate to escape with a 1-1 Europa League draw at Rangers on Thursday.

The Australian manager is also having to deal with an injury crisis, and is set to be without regular first-team players for the trip to Southampton on Sunday.

But given he was permitted to break the club transfer record by signing Dominic Solanke in the summer, as well as sealing big-money signings James Maddison and Archie Gray, fans are growing impatient with the lack of consistency.

Despite his net spend, though the wages currently being handed out by Daniel Levy seemingly limit Postecoglou’s hopes of signing proven, world class players. And when compared to north London rivals Arsenal, it’s easy to see why the gap between the two sides remains sizeable both on and off the field.

According to Capology, Olensandr Zinchenko’s weekly wages with the Gunners exceeds the money made by all but three players at Tottenham. Despite currently being considered his team’s third choice left-back, the Ukrainian has been earning £150,000-per-week sine his move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

Only club captain Son, Christian Romero and James Maddison appear to earn more at Spurs. It is the South Korean who reportedly has the most lucrative deal under Postecoglou, currently on £190,000-a-week.

And yet, the striker makes less than another player considered on the fringes at Arsenal. Despite being being plagued by form and fitness issues since his own switch from City more than two years ago, Gabriel Jesus is sitting on apparent wages of £265,000-per-week.

Kai Havertz seems to be the highest paid player under Mikel Arteta, the German international said to be on £280,000-per week. The figures are likely to further anger Spurs fans, who have long pointed the finger at Chairman Levy for a perceived lack of investment.

The financial disparity is unlikely to be of much consolation to Postecoglou though ahead of a critical eight days in his side’s season. The trip to St Mary’s is followed by a League Cup quarter-final with Manchester United next Thursday.

And the following Sunday, runaway leaders Liverpool come to north London. A failure to take victory in any of the three games is likely to leave the former Celtic boss hanging on to his job.

His team are currently 11th in the Premier League table, seven points off the top four. And he’s been brutally criticised in recent weeks for an apparent refusal to adapt his attacking style, most notably when his side blew a 2-0 lead before losing 4-3 to Chelsea.