Frustration for North London rivals after inconclusive battle
The draw at White Hart Lane was given fresh context hours after the final whistle when Leicester City added yet more weight to the view that, incredibly, they can finish the season as champions. The leaders’ victory at Watford will only have hardened the view of Pochettino that this was an opportunity missed while Wenger’s post-match reluctance to claim his Arsenal side remain title contenders looked well judged.
Things can change quickly, of course, but the margin for error diminishes with every passing week, adding to the contention that Tottenham’s failure to hold onto the lead against an Arsenal side reduced to ten men following the 54th minute dismissal of Francis Coquelin could prove costly.
Harry Kane, the scorer of an outstanding goal that put Spurs ahead after they had initially fallen behind to Aaron Ramsey’s first half effort, summed up the frustration felt by the home side. “We had them where we wanted them, 2-1 up, down to 10 men and we had to finish the game off,” said the forward.
Pochettino has done an excellent job of protecting his young player from the pressure that comes from being contenders, but with every passing week, the manager’s task grows harder. A first title since 1961 seemed improbable at the start of the season; now the campaign will be a viewed as a disappointment if they fall short. Tension can weaken muscles, so too a fixture list that takes Spurs to Germany this week for the first leg of their Europa League tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Those who doubt Spurs’ credentials maintain that if fatigue doesn’t get them, inexperience will. Pochettino dismisses both claims. “We can’t stop the opinions of people saying that,” said the manager. “We just need to deliver like we did today. We showed character, maturity against Arsenal. Arsenal come from having 19 years under the same manager and they build a big side with different things. We come from 20 months together.
“I think we should feel proud for the young players and senior players for the way we played today because we are still three points ahead of Arsenal and we hope we can win every game. We are young and we want to improve a lot. But it means more than just one point today.”
Sanchez’s 75th-minute goal, a strike that capped an improved performance from the striker, ensured it was Arsenal who ended the game in more upbeat mood. When Toby Alderweireld and Kane scored twice either side of the hour, Coquelin’s sending off, after collecting two yellow cards, appeared decisive and Wenger must have been bracing himself for a repeat of the angry reaction that followed defeats in their previous two Premier League games.
Instead, Wenger and his players were able to talk about turning points, although the evidence of the season so far suggests there is no guarantee they can build on this. Hence the reticence to talk about forging back to the top of the table.
“I have no idea,” said Per Mertesacker, the centre-back, when asked if Arsenal are back in the title race. “We have to take care of ourselves. For a team with low confidence and no belief, we played pretty well today. We don’t need that. It’s nonsense. We just concentrate on ourselves and that’s the only way to compete and win games.”
There was no doubt Arsenal needed to offer signs of the character and resilience that had been questioned by Sanchez amongst others last week. The striker had wondered whether his team-mates had enough hunger to be champions and Ramsey believes the Chilean’s colleagues gave a telling response.
Asked if the display demonstrated the team had the hunger Sanchez said was missing, he said: “I think so. We needed a result here today. We would have liked to have won the game but it was important just to get a result. We’ve had two defeats, so we’re happy to come away with a point in the end, considering the circumstances.”
More definitive answers will come in the weeks ahead. For now, the test for both teams lies in how they react to this derby stalemate.
Lloris 6; Walker 7, Alderweireld 7, Wimmer 6, Rose 7 (Davies 75, 6); Dier 5, Dembele 8 (Son 81, 6); Lamela 7 (Mason 66, 6), Alli 7, Eriksen 8; Kane 9.
Vorm, Trippier, Chadli, Carroll.
Ospina 8; Bellerin 8, Mertesacker 7, Gabriel 7, Gibbs 7; Coquelin 4, Elneny 7 (Giroud 75, 6); Ramsey 6, Ozil 5 (Campbell 89), Sanchez 7; Welbeck 7 (Flamini 84,6).
Macey, Walcott. Monreal, Chambers.
M Oliver 6
