‘Armless defenders!’ - Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou offers solution to baffling handball rule after seeing Arsenal awarded contentious penalty in thrilling north London derby draw

The Australian coach has made an impressive impact since inheriting the reins at Spurs, with his attacking philosophy and honest approach to interviews winning plenty of admirers. Postecoglou just about still had a smile on his face following a thrilling clash with neighbours Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

A well-taken brace from Son Heung-min earned Tottenham a share of the points in that contest, as a dramatic encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, with Spurs able to shrug off the award of a contentious second-half penalty when Cristian Romero blocked a shot from Ben White with his arm – with it virtually impossible for the Argentine to get out of the way of an effort that was struck from close range.

Quizzed on that incident afterwards, which resulted in a lengthy VAR review, Postecoglou said: "I couldn’t see but I’ve got no idea about the handball rule. I really don’t. I saw the one yesterday at Wolves and it just seems if it hits your hand it’s a penalty and then other times if it hits your hand, it isn’t a penalty. I’ve got no idea. It is the one rule in the game I just don’t understand.

"Unless we start developing armless defenders I don’t know how you are supposed to block things and be in a natural position. It is what it is. You kind of hope these things even themselves out over the course of a year but I don’t understand the handball rule. I have said that to referees in the past and I don’t know how they see it to be honest."

Spurs remain unbeaten through six Premier League games this season, with a healthy 14-point haul enough to see them sat fourth in the table – four points behind leaders Manchester City with a visit from fellow high-fliers Liverpool to come next weekend.