‘Absolutely’ - Peter Crouch left fuming after Emerson Royal’s red card during Arsenal vs Tottenham

Peter Crouch has slammed Emerson Royal for his part in Tottenham’s North London Derby defeat to Arsenal.

It was a miserable day at the Emirates Stadium for Spurs, who lost 3-1 to the league leaders.

Arsenal looked more up for it from the start, with Thomas Partey scoring a stunning opener, but Harry Kane gave Tottenham a lifeline from the spot after Richarlison won a penalty.

A mistake at the back gave Mikel Arteta’s men the lead again within four minutes of the break, with Gabriel Jesus tapping home after Hugo Lloris saw a ball go through his hands.

And after Emerson Royal was sent off, Arsenal doubled their lead with a slick finish from Granit Xhaka.

Emerson’s sending off was a needless one, with the Brazilian putting in a high tackle on Gabriel Martinelli as he dribbed back towards his own goal on the far touchline.

Some disagreed with the decision, but the challenge was high on Martinelli’s ankle, and given where the foul took place, it was a needlessly aggressive tackle, and not one referee Anthony Taylor was going to put up with.

After the game, former Spurs star Crouch slammed Emerson for his challenge, saying on BT Sport: “This is where the game hinges. Even though Tottenham aren’t in control of the game, you always feel they have a threat through the middle.

“Martinelli is going back towards his own goal. Emerson, it’s just a rediculous challenge. He’s made the referee make a decision.

“There’s absolutely no need for it, and he has killed the game.”

Rio Ferdinand then chipped in, adding: “I used to get the hump with players who made fouls in those positions, because we’ve got them trapped there, let’s keep them there and make it difficult to get out.

“To do that, with what he has done there, he has killed his team.”

Crouch added: “To give away a foul is one thing, but to get a red card in that situation is rediculous.”