Mauricio Pochettino’s comments about Davinson Sanchez aren’t correct after Tottenham Hotspur’s match on Sunday

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez was played out of position against Arsenal on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino has told Football London that Davinson Sanchez ranked among Tottenham Hotspur’s four best performers in the North London derby.

Sanchez was tasked with playing at right-back for Spurs, as they picked up a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Colombian was given a tough role in having to mark danger man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, but Pochettino felt that the powerful defender did well.

“The performance [from Sanchez] was great. I think, Hugo (Lloris), him, Harry Winks and Christian Eriksen were on the top of the performance,” Pochettino said.

“I think it was a very good solution for the team and I happy because his performance was great.”

Pochettino’s words may just have been designed as a confidence boost for Sanchez, who has come in for a great deal of criticism so far this season, but they just don’t ring true.

Sanchez was arguably Tottenham’s worst performer on Sunday, and he badly struggled throughout the fixture.

Of course, there are mitigating circumstances for his display, as he was playing in a position where he is far from comfortable.

However, if Sanchez is utilised by Tottenham too much more regularly at right-back this term, then it will have to be a worry.

Arsenal almost immediately targeted his area, with Moussa Sissoko often having to almost act as a second right-sided defender when Spurs were on the back foot.

Sanchez wasn’t directly at fault for either of the goals which Spurs conceded, but he hardly covered himself in glory for the first.

Sanchez hacked at a clearance, which gave Arsenal possession back, and they punished Spurs with Alexandre Lacazette blasting home from close range just before half-time.

That goal completely changed the momentum of the game, with Spurs ultimately holding on for a draw in the second half.

Sanchez never looked comfortable when Arsenal were attacking, and by the time the game reached its closing stages, he appeared to be shattered.

And while it is unfair on Sanchez to be too harsh on him, as he wasn’t playing in his most familiar position, Pochettino’s comments that the £40 million man (Guardian) was one of Tottenham’s top four players just don’t add up.