“The problem is he thinks he’s a player” - Roy Keane and Paul Merson’s Hojberg criticism vindicated as Arsenal take lead from Spurs star’s own goal

Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Paul Merson have arguably been vindicated in their criticism of Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglu for selecting Pierre-Emile Hojberg against Arsenal.

Speaking before the North London Derby at Tottenham on Sunday (April 28), the duo singled the Danish international out. They said that he wasn't good enough to stop the Arsenal skipper. They were arguably justified when he opened the scoring with an own goal.

Merson said before kickoff:

"The lad who is playing now [Odegaard would rather face]. Bissouma is a quicker player. Hojbjerg, you get away from him and you’re away. Bissouma and Sarr are quicker. This lad will want to play – the problem is he thinks he’s a player.

"When they have the ball, he’ll start wanting to play it, but his natural reaction should be: 'I’m in this team to stop him playing, so I’m just going to hook on him.'"

Multiple Premier League-winning midfielder Roy Keane agreed with the former Arsenal man, saying:

"For all his experience, I don’t think Hojbjerg actually shows it. He gets cut out quite a bit. His job is doing a job for the back four. They’ve got to protect their back four. For a defensive-minded midfielder, he gets caught out. His job is getting people, helping his full-backs, because if the attackers don’t come back and do a job for them, it’s going to be a long afternoon for them."

Hojbjerg completed 57/66 passes, won 6/11 duels and made two tackles and three interceptions in his 64 minutes on the field.

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Arsenal beat Tottenham in North London derby

Table-toppers Arsenal were head and shoulders clear of their North London rivals Tottenham in the first half of their Premier League clash. The Gunners came out firing and took a comfortable lead into the locker room at half time.

An early own goal from Danish Midfielder Piere-Emile Hojberg in the 15th minute got the Gunners off to a good start. Arsenal homegrown superstar Bukayo Saka then doubled their lead in the 27th minute before Kai Havertz made it three in the 38th minute.

Cristian Romero (64') and Son Heung-min (87',p) made it 3-2 but the Gunners held on to their nerves to take all three points.

Mikel Arteta's wards are in the hunt for their first Premier League title in two decades. The Gunners currently lead Manchester City by four points ahead of City's clash at Nottingham Forest. The Cityzens will have a game in hand over the leaders even after their Nottingham clash.