Baffled Mikel Arteta bemoans lack of Arsenal firepower after derby defeat

Form suggested the Gunners would make the short journey across north London more in hope than expectation and it quickly became clear hope would be in short supply

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta dejected on the touchline during the Premier League defeat to Spurs. Picture: Glyn Kirk

MIKEL Arteta insisted before kick-off a win would transform the mood at Arsenal. The manager didn’t need to spell out the consequences of defeat and sure enough, by the final whistle the growing sense of concern at the Emirates Stadium had been cranked up a notch.

This was not the game any manager would want when they are attempting to reverse an alarming dip in form.