‘I’ve got no idea’: Ange bites back at VAR drama as his first north London derby ends in thriller

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou joked he will have to develop “armless defenders” after Cristian Romero’s handball conceded a controversial penalty in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against north London rivals Arsenal.

Postecoglou was frustrated to see Romero penalised for blocking Ben White’s shot with his hand early in the second half of a thrilling derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Romero had little time to get his hand out of the way as White was close to the Tottenham defender when he unleashed his shot in the six-yard box.

The spot-kick was not given initially, but referee Robert Jones changed his decision after VAR advised him to consult the pitchside monitor.

Bukayo Saka converted the penalty to put Arsenal 2-1 up, but Son Heung-min bagged his second goal of the game to preserve Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

“I’ve got no idea about the handball rule. I really don’t. 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,” Postecoglou said.

“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 think any clarity would be good.”

Prior to the penalty drama, an own goal from Romero in the 26th minute had broken the deadlock, with Tottenham replying through Son’s first equaliser from James Maddison’s cross.

In his first season with Tottenham after arriving from Scottish champions Celtic, Postecoglou has already revitalised a team that finished last term in disarray.

Playing with silk and