Kieran Gibbs to the rescue for battling Arsenal
Two points dropped at the Emirates Stadium in a north London derby would normally be a cause for disappointment, but having appeared destined to succumb to only their second defeat in 26 visits of their nearest neighbours, Arsenal unexpectedly claimed a draw.
Apart from the obvious significance an extra point may have at the end of the season, Wenger and his players will believe the way they managed to conjure parity through Kieran Gibbs’ 78th minute equaliser — scored four minutes after the left-back appeared from the bench — highlighted qualities not always apparent in recent seasons.
Arsenal were outplayed for long periods, but despite demonstrating more of the worrying defensive flaws that were ruthlessly exposed by Bayern Munich in midweek, Wenger’s side showed enough belief and resolve to work their way back into the game and end it in the ascendancy.
“When you are 1-0 down, it’s a mixture of relief and regret because if we were really clinical we would have won it in the last 15 minutes,” admitted the Arsenal manager.
“We have shown the character again today, yes, because we were a bit on the ropes. We responded. Every time we have a disappointment, the game after I feel they respond well.
“When you look at the results again today; Aston Villa versus Manchester City was a draw, Liverpool lost, we played 1-1, it just shows you that the championship will be extremely difficult for everybody. And that the mental qualities can have a big influence in the future and I think we’ll need these qualities.”
For Tottenham, the outcome was deflating although Mauricio Pochettino’s side demonstrated why, with Chelsea out of the picture, a top four finish should be the minimum of their ambitions this season.
Harry Kane’s first-half goal deservedly put them ahead and seemingly on course for their third win in a week.
In the end, the demands of playing Aston Villa last Monday and Anderlecht on Thursday caught up with them and they didn’t have the legs to survive Arsenal’s late response. However, Spurs have extended their unbeaten run to 11 league games.
“Was it a fair result? I don’t know,” said Pochettino. “My feeling is not fair. I think we deserved more. It’s true we concede some chances but my feeling is we deserved to win the game. But I am very pleased. The effort of my players was brilliant. In the end we deserved more but it was a very busy week. We showed maturity. It’s a very young team.”
Wenger attributed his team’s stuttering first-half display to Santo Cazorla feeling out of sorts. The Spanish midfielder was replaced at half-time complaining of dizzy spells. He is a key player, but even allowing for his lack of fitness, the way Arsenal failed to adjust to the Tottenham threat was alarming.
Erik Lamela again demonstrated he is a different player to last season while Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele linked well with Christian Eriksen to provide an effective range of options behind the outstanding Kane.
The goals summed up the pattern of the first half with Arsenal exposed by Danny Rose’s long ball forward that picked out Kane’s run between the home centre-backs. Laurent Koscielny’s effort to play offside was misguided and the striker finished well after being allowed a clear run on Petr Cech’s goal.
Arsenal’s response was unconvincing with Olivier Giroud offering little up front, although his second-half efforts were even less impressive as the France forward missed three clear chances. “Giroud is feeling angry,” Wenger said afterwards.
Introduced to offer balance on the left, Gibbs moved behind Spurs right-back Kyle Walker at the far post to meet Mesut Ozil’s deep cross with a close-range volley that Hugo Lloris should have kept out. Having conceded, Spurs appeared in trouble, but held on as Arsenal finally found their feet in the final 15 minutes.
“You can say it was a missed opportunity but you can say that to Manchester City as well,” said Wenger. “If we look over a longer distance, in the last six games, we’ve played five wins and one draw. I am disappointed today that we didn’t win but if you look at the recent period as a block, it can happen that you drop points.”
Cech 8; Debuchy 5 (Arteta 78,6), Mertesacker 6, Koscielny 5, Monreal 6; Coquelin 6, Cazorla 5 (Flamini 46,6); Campbell 6 (Gibbs 74,7), Ozil 8, Sanchez 6; Giroud 5.
Ospina, Gabriel, Chambers.
Lloris 5; Walker 7, Alderweireld 8, Vertonghen 6, Rose 7; Alli 8 (Mason 82,6), Dier 6; Dembele 8, Eriksen 9 (Onomah 90), Lamela 8 (Son 75,6); Kane 8
Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Carroll, Onomah
M Atkinson 7
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