Frustration for North London rivals after inconclusive battle

Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2: While Arsene Wenger is attempting to meet the expectations of his club’s increasingly frustrated supporters, Mauricio Pochettino is battling to manage the gruelling demands of an unexpected title challenge on his youthful squad. Saturday’s draw confirmed both men have more work to do.

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.