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Jan 16 (Reuters) - Arsenal's 18-year-old left back Myles Lewis-Skelly was thrown into the deep end against Tottenham Hotspur, one of the Premier League's most goal-hungry teams, but the teenager passed with flying colours in an uplifting derby victory.

With three senior defenders out injured, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was forced to turn to Lewis-Skelly to fill in at the back even though the player came up through the academy as a midfielder.

Arsenal were at their lowest ebb this season following back-to-back losses in the League Cup and FA Cup, and Spurs represented a serious test with Ange Postecoglou's side averaging more than two goals a game in the league.

Lewis-Skelly became the second-youngest Arsenal player to feature in a league derby against Spurs but he hardly seemed overawed by the occasion.

Instead, he embraced the pressure with the club's season potentially on the line if they fell further behind.

Within two minutes of kickoff, Lewis-Skelly showed his attacking capabilities when he made an interception high up the pitch, dribbled through the midfield and nearly provided an assist for Raheem Sterling, who was denied by the onrushing goalkeeper.

The left back also had to contend with Spurs' imperious winger Dejan Kulusevski but he showed the maturity, composure and strength to deal with everything Spurs threw down his flank, and Arteta praised his 'phenomenal' performance.

"It's very rare to see, 18-years-old, playing against Kulusevski and (Brennan) Johnson in a big London derby for the first time, to perform with that composure, with that attitude and control emotionally," Arteta told reporters.

"He makes everybody at the club very proud. He has been in our system for a long time... With him, he was ready very early and in a different position. He has never played as a full back before."

'BUILT IN A LAB'

Four months ago, Lewis-Skelly made his debut in stoppage time in a feisty draw at Manchester City where he famously squared up with Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian not mincing words when he asked the youngster who he was.

But his performances in recent games have put Lewis-Skelly on the map and teammate Declan Rice, who said the player was "built in a lab", praised his performance in the 2-1 win.

"For 18 years of age to be playing how he is... it is just ridiculous. The young players now have no fear, none whatsoever," Rice said, adding that Lewis-Skelly could play for England soon.

"Four or five times in the second half he used his body to get away from someone. He has that Moussa Dembele type strength."

Lewis-Skelley came off to a standing ovation in the 87th minute and the smiling youngster was encouraging the home crowd to raise the volume as Arsenal moved up to second and within four points of leaders Liverpool to reignite the title race.

"I'm feeling every emotion possible, I'm on cloud nine... I was a kid watching the derbies and know how much it means to the fans, it's everything. To experience it today, I can't stop smiling," he said.

"This game means more... I'm happy I helped the team. The most important thing was getting the three points, building momentum and I'm happy with how I played."

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Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Kate Mayberry

LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Ange Postecoglou described Tottenham Hotspur's dismal Premier League campaign as unacceptable after they slumped to a lame 2-1 defeat at north London rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.

Son Heung-min gave Tottenham a 25th-minute lead against the run of play but in the end the scoreline flattered Postecoglou's side who have now won only once in nine league games.

Tottenham sit 13th in the table on 24 points and are now far closer to the relegation zone than the top four where they had hoped to be challenging in Postecoglou's second season.

While they have reached the League Cup semi-final and won the first leg 1-0 against Liverpool, they have lost 11 league games this season. Injuries have been a factor, but Postecoglou made no attempt to sugar-coat the current predicament which is inevitably raising questions about his future.

"Not good enough, especially the first half. We just were way too passive. We allowed Arsenal to take control of the game and dictate the tempo and paid the price," Postecoglou told reporters. "That's just not who we are.

"It's not the way I set the team up. It's not the way I want to play, to be sitting in there and allowing Arsenal to play. The tempo just wasn't good enough."

Postecoglou's team offered little against Arsenal who led by halftime with a Dominic Solanke own goal and Leandro Trossard's left-footed drive -- both goals not making happy viewing for Tottenham's new keeper Antonin Kinsky.

The former Celtic manager said there was no "magic cure" and called on his players to battle to turn around their league form, starting away at struggling Everton at the weekend.

Lose that and the north Londoners could even start looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

"I want them (the players) disappointed. This can't be accepted by anyone at the club," Postecoglou, whose side are now winless in five league games, said.

"Losing so many games in the league season is not right. I know we've gone through a tough time, and yes, we are asking big jobs, but I hope they're hurting. The reality of it is that our results and our form in the league have been nowhere near good enough. That needs to change."

Tottenham captain Son, who was substituted during the second half, echoed Postecoglou's thoughts.

"Very disappointing. The manager is right. We were too passive. Second half was a little better. The first half was not good enough," the South Korean, who has now scored eight Premier League goals against Arsenal, said.

"We have to do better in every aspect. When you look at the table it's not good enough."

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Jan 7 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur will be without 10 first-team players ahead of their League Cup semi-final first leg at home against Liverpool, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Tuesday, with the North London side aiming to end a 16-year trophy drought.

Spurs' injury issues continue to mount with key players out while James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr are suspended after the duo picked up two yellow cards each in previous rounds.

Spurs signed goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague over the weekend to strengthen the squad but Postecoglou will have limited options to field against Liverpool in Wednesday's first leg at home.

"We're trying to help the squad and players. We're down significant numbers, we'll have roughly 10 first-team players missing against Liverpool," Postecoglou told reporters.

"That isn't easy, we get one back and then lose a couple. We still need to see if we can help the playing group and the club's working hard on that in a number of areas."

Spurs are without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Ben Davies and Guglielmo Vicario due to long-term injuries and they are unlikely to be fit before Wednesday's clash.

Postecoglou said Rodrigo Bentancur, who missed Spurs' 2-1 loss to Newcastle United due to suspension, will be back while others are being assessed.

"Bentancur is back but we lose Maddison and Sarr. Mikey (Moore) potentially could be back on the bench. Everyone from the weekend certainly feels better," Postecoglou said.

"Radu (Dragusin) is better and Archie (Gray). Deki (Dejan Kulusevski) was a bit under the weather but he should be fine.

"Richarlison is training but we want him to have two solid weeks of training so if he gets through next week he will be fine. Fraser (Forster) is back in training."

On a positive note, Spurs activated a one-year extension in captain Son Heung-min's contract and Postecoglou said he wants the South Korean forward to end his career at the club with a trophy.

Spurs have not won any silverware since they beat Chelsea in the League Cup final in 2008.

"The main ambition is to make sure he finishes his career here with some silverware," he added.

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Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge

Jan 7 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min will remain at the club until 2026 at least after the Premier League club activated a one-year extension in his contract on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old, who joined Spurs in 2015, has scored 169 goals and provided 90 assists in 431 appearances for the club. His current deal was due to expire at the end of this season, but he will remain in North London until the end of the following campaign.

He is in the Premier League's top 20 goalscorers of all time and is the most prolific Asian player in the competition's history.

The South Korea captain has earned 131 caps for the national side and has featured at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups.

Spurs will play Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

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Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru Editing by Christian Radnedge

LONDON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou came out fighting after another damaging Premier League defeat on Saturday, lauding his injury-hit team's performance and venting his frustration at the injustice of it all.

A 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United was hardly how Postecoglou needed the New Year to begin. With a League Cup semi-final first leg looming against Liverpool on Wednesday and their next Premier League fixture away at Arsenal, things could potentially get worse for the under-pressure Australian.

Tottenham have now taken only five points from their last eight Premier League games and a run of six home league games without a win is their longest such streak since 2008.

There were mitigating circumstances on Saturday, with injuries and illness decimating the squad.

Third-choice keeper Brandon Austin was given his debut with Fraser Forster confined to his sickbed, while Tottenham's patched up central defence featured Radu Dragusin and youngster Archie Gray - both of whom had been ill in the build-up.

Tottenham were already without the likes of injured keeper Guglielmo Vicario, defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies and forward Richarlison, while midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was suspended on Saturday.

Yet they began the game well, taking the lead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke's header, and dominated the second half as they battled to get back on level terms.

Postecoglou has at times cut a gloomy figure during Tottenham's recent struggles, but on Saturday he said his threadbare side had played brilliantly. He was furious that Newcastle's equaliser, scored by Anthony Gordon, had been allowed to stand despite a handball by Joelinton.

'ANGRIEST I HAVE EVER BEEN'

"I'm hugely proud of the performance and shattered we didn't get the reward the players deserved, it was brilliant, outstanding and we deserved to win," Postecoglou, whose team have 24 points from 20 games, told reporters.

"On any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would win that game."

Pushed on Newcastle's equaliser, Postecoglou added: "I'm just really, really angry, angriest I think I have ever been in my career that they were denied the right rewards for a fantastic performance.

"Don't keep asking me about the decision. If you guys have no opinion about it that's fine. I know you just want me to say something but I'm not going to. I think it's clear. Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn't handball or it was accidental, I'm just not interested in any of that discussion.

"What I'm saying is, on any given day with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes we would have won that game, that's it. You can make what you want of that."

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had some sympathy, admitting there was a handball but said the rules had been applied correctly. He was keener to talk about his side's fifth successive league win that has put them right in the mix in the battle for a top-four finish.

"On another day maybe we could have led by two at the break and then second half we had to defend really well," he said. "I'm really pleased to get over the line and win the game."

Both sides have a quick turnaround with Newcastle back in north London against Arsenal in their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, and Tottenham at home to Liverpool on Wednesday.

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Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne

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Jan 4 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he had no issues with James Maddison going to watch the PDC World Darts Championship just hours after the midfielder could not start in their 2-2 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers due to illness.

Maddison, who came on as a substitute in the 64th minute against Wolves on Sunday, was pictured alongside Spurs teammate Brennan Johnson at the last-16 clash between Luke Humphries and Peter Wright at the Alexandra Palace in north London.

Injury-hit Spurs drew against Wolves after goals by Rodrigo Bentancur and Johnson, which left them languishing in 11th place with 24 points from 19 matches — the first time they have finished the year lower than seventh since the 2008-09 season.

"I've got no problem with the players having lives," Postecoglou told reporters ahead of Saturday's home clash against fifth-placed Newcastle United.

"It's a lot different trying to play a game of football and living a life. I don't see any problem with that and I don't think it hurt him. He wasn't 100% and it was a game where we needed someone to be 100%. He was still well enough to play.

"If he was bed-ridden, didn't turn up to the game and then still went to the darts, there may be an issue there. But I had no issue with that."

The PDC World Darts Championship concluded on Friday with 17-year-old sensation Luke 'The Nuke' Littler thrashing Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest PDC darts world champion.

Postecoglou was happy with 28-year-old Maddison, who has scored eight goals in 19 league appearances this season.

"I still think the key with Madders is to keep him fit, keep him healthy, keep him sharp, and that's by not playing every game, especially with the programme we've got," Postecoglou added.

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Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul