Cristian Romero expressed his frustration following Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, blaming the club’s travel arrangements for his tired performance in a now-deleted social media post. The Argentine defender’s error was partly responsible for Spurs’ loss, as he was outmuscled by Gabriel, who scored the match’s only goal with a powerful second-half header.
Romero’s disappointment with his performance was evident, but he seemingly felt that the club shared some of the blame. According to reports, he was unhappy that Tottenham did not arrange a private jet to fly him back from international duty. Unlike some other Premier League clubs, Tottenham does not typically provide private transport for players returning from international matches, instead relying on the arrangements made by national federations.
Cristian Romero voiced his discontent by resharing a post from Argentine TV reporter Gaston Edul. The post criticized Tottenham’s decision-making, suggesting that the club had “given away the advantage” by not ensuring their international players returned well-rested. The post read: “Tottenham lost to Arsenal again. They weren’t able to fight until the end because they weren’t across the details. It was the only Premier League club that made their international players return, on their own and without proper logistics, on the decision of the club’s leadership. They gave away the advantage because their players arrived with less rest than the others: Cuti Romero played with tiredness.”
Romero later deleted the repost and instead shared a more measured message, acknowledging the pain of losing a derby but calling for unity. His post stated: “It hurts to lose a derby, but I have no doubt that we will turn this bad start to the season around. Let’s all be together, also at this moment. Thanks to all the fans for always supporting us.”
While Cristian Romero expressed his dissatisfaction, some pundits were quick to criticize his on-field performance. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou attempted to defend the team’s record on set-pieces, but former Arsenal striker Ian Wright felt that Romero should have done more to prevent Gabriel’s goal. Wright said on Premier League Productions, “I was very surprised with Romero, it feels very easy for a defender of his calibre to be moved out of the way. I think it could have been a foul but not enough maybe. That just seems very simple when you look at the proximity from the goal and where he headed it in. It’s a very easy goal for Arsenal to score.”
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was even more critical of Romero’s efforts. Shearer argued that there was a clear disparity in determination between the two players involved in the goal. “There was one player that really wanted that to get onto the end of that and another who was happy to be shoved off it,” Shearer commented.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by clubs and players during international breaks, particularly the impact of travel on performance. While some clubs go to great lengths to ensure their players return in optimal condition, others, like Tottenham, opt for more cost-effective solutions, potentially affecting player performance and results on the pitch. Romero’s deleted post indicates his frustration with the club’s approach, suggesting a lack of alignment between player needs and club policies.
As Tottenham seeks to turn their season around after this defeat, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins in football and the importance of managing player welfare, especially during the congested fixture periods.