Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has responded to the backlash after photos emerged showing him holding a cup with Arsenal branding before Spurs’ 3–2 defeat to Bournemouth.
Spurs slipped to their fifth Premier League loss in 10 matches after goals from Evanilson, Junior Kroupi and a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham had started brightly through Mathys Tel’s early opener, while Joao Palhinha later made it 2–2, but Semenyo — days before his big-money move to Manchester City — sealed the win late on.
Amid the fallout from the result, Spurs fans spotted images circulating online that appeared to show Frank drinking from a cup featuring Arsenal’s logo. The photo, taken before kick-off and distributed by Getty Images and PA, quickly sparked outrage among supporters.
With Tottenham already under pressure, the image added fuel to the fire on social media. Bournemouth had previously hosted Arsenal on January 3, and although it has not been officially confirmed, the cup is thought to have originated from that match.
Addressing the issue after the game, Frank played down the controversy and said he had no idea the cup carried Arsenal branding. “I honestly didn’t notice it,” he said. “If I had, it would have been unbelievably stupid to use it. I’d never do that.”
He added: “It’s disappointing that this has even become a discussion.
If football is reduced to worrying about the logo on a cup, then we’re heading in the wrong direction. I would never deliberately do something so silly.”
