Tottenham lacked Arsenal’s ‘maturity’ in north London derby defeat

Dejan Kulusevski has admitted Tottenham Hotspur need to improve their mentality and learn from Arsenal if they want to compete with them next season.

Fifth-placed Spurs suffered a painful 3-2 defeat at home to their north London rivals on Sunday, but were staring down the barrel after trailing by three goals at the break.

Ange Postecoglou’s side produced a stirring second-half rally and yet with their faint top-four chances almost gone, Kulusevski admitted they must be more consistent.

“That’s the only thing that matters – Sir,” insisted the Swedish attacker.

“You can be as good as you can be at football but you have to be strong in every situation.

“Arsenal have obviously done that in the last term. They fight to win the league. We still have to do that. We’re improving in other areas, but we’re still a bit lacking in that area.

“I don’t think it’s about ambition. I think everybody wants to win but then you have to sacrifice a lot for that.

“Talking about mentality, do you think it’s easy to be 3-0 down at half-time and then go out and play 3-2 against the first one? This is also a mindset.

“The second half was incredible. It’s just that you have to show it for 90 minutes. If not, it’s difficult. We’re showing it in bits but we have to do it with a lot more consistency.

Koleczewski was one of Tottenham’s best performers on Sunday but he was unable to prevent a third defeat in his last six matches as Postecoglou’s fine debut campaign threatens to end with a whimper.

While the Spurs attacker doesn’t believe the gap is too big for Arsenal, he acknowledges the Gunners’ display of discipline and set-piece skills is where his side must improve.

Klosewski added: “It’s always the big picture in sport but then we have to take responsibility.

“We have to win games. We have to improve. If we don’t, of course people will be disappointed.

“We have to grow because you cannot concede such easy goals. The football is good enough, but we have to improve (mentally).

“They (Arsenal) are a lot more disciplined and a bit more mature. We lack that at the moment.

“Being strong in difficult moments like set pieces. Things like that. They score corners, we admit. It’s easy enough.”

Mickey van de Ven also impressed for Spurs, but expressed his disappointment at conceding two corners.

Spurs have conceded 14 set-piece goals this season – excluding penalties – which is the sixth-worst record in the division.

“Two goals from set pieces is definitely disappointing. We have to train hard this week and work on it,” Van de Ven said.

“I don’t think we are worse than Arsenal in terms of football. The mindset is strong on their part but I wouldn’t say that either.

“You look at their goals and they were relentless. They took every opportunity and I think that made a difference.

“The first half was not good from us, 3-0, it can’t happen in a big game like this in your own stadium. If you want to be a top team, you cannot concede three goals at home and we have to work on that.