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Football London
Football London
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Rob Guest

Son Heung-min South Korea free-kick has given Antonio Conte answer to major Tottenham problem

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team may be slightly worried about coming against Son Heung-min once Premier League football returns next weekend. Failing to score in his first eight games of the season for Tottenham, the 30-year-old silenced his critics with an incredible hat-trick against Leicester City in the space of 13 minutes and 21 seconds.

Having looked short on confidence in the opening weeks of the season and struggling with his game, Antonio Conte's decision to drop the player down to the bench for a breather proved to be a masterstroke. Ultimately handing his man a much-needed confidence boost in the process, his heroics against Leicester don't appear to be a one-off.

Involved in international action for South Korea on Friday against Costa Rica, the Spurs man was once again on the scoresheet to help his country salvage a 2-2 draw. Trailing 2-1 heading into the final five minutes of the contest, the hosts were awarded a free-kick on the left corner of the D on the edge of the box which Son duly took control of.

READ MORE: Perisic impact, calm Bentancur, Son struggle - Spurs players and Conte rated for season so far

Taking a short run-up, the attacker opted to aim for the goalkeeper's side and he found the net in style with a powerful effort. It was a sublime attempt from the player, leaving Patrick Sequeira with absolutely no chance in goal as he watched the ball fly past him into the top corner.

With his strike immediately doing the rounds on social media, Tottenham fans instantly questioned why the player hasn't been on free-kicks for the Lilywhites. Ever since Christian Eriksen's departure almost three years ago, Spurs have had major issues with direct free-kicks.

Eric Dier has had a few attempts, including one which hit the post away at Crystal Palace, but has failed the find the back of the net, with Harry Kane more often than not the player over the ball but having no luck at all with them. Well, Son may have just strengthened his case to take them after his brilliant attempt for South Korea.

It's not the first time the player has scored from a free-kick, either. Back in June he scored consecutive direct free-kicks in a 2-0 win over Chile and then in the following match which they drew 2-2 with Paraguay.

The record books do also indicate that Son has scored from a free-kick previously for Tottenham in their 1-0 win over Watford last August, although many will point to the fact that it was a cross from the left that evaded everyone in the box to find the bottom corner. Showing that he can score free-kicks for his country, now might be the perfect time for the player to do likewise for Tottenham.

Tottenham's North London Derby clash away at Arsenal is the ideal place to start.

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