‘You have to do it’: Van de Ven buys into Postecoglou’s risky style at Spurs

Micky van de Ven carries the ball from the back during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. The central defender enjoys having the responsibility of progressing his team up the pitch. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Micky van de Ven felt the collective flutter when Tottenham diced with creative disaster at the back in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal. But the centre-half has made it clear that the players see the reward in Ange Postecoglou’s risk-taking style and it will be the only way they play under him.

The derby could have ended differently had Gabriel Jesus made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute. Spurs tried to build possession from the goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, only for Jesus to rob James Maddison on the edge of the area, centrally placed. Jesus shot high – a source of deep regret for Mikel Arteta, who would see it as a turning point.