London // The chance was there yet Arsenal could not take it. Manchester City’s goalless draw at Aston Villa earlier in the day meant Arsene Wenger’s men would move top of the Premier League with victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but their neighbours from across North London were not in the mood to aid their biggest rivals’ title charge.
This felt like both a missed opportunity and a positive result for the in-form teams from the English capital.
For 70 minutes, Tottenham were excellent, digging in defensively and causing plenty of problems going forward.
Arsenal, conversely, looked devoid of ideas until the game’s final quarter, with Mauricio Pochettino’s charges quicker and sharper in midfield and posing far more of a threat in attacking areas.
At the same time, though, Wenger and his players could point to several opportunities when they should have done better in front of goal. Olivier Giroud missed the target with two headers from close range, while Joel Campbell forced Hugo Lloris into a sprawling save with a curled effort from outside the box.
“It is a mixture of relief and regret,” Wenger said in his post-match press-conference, conceding “we were a bit on the ropes” but that “every time we have a disappointment, we respond well.”
Tottenham had made their intentions clear in the opening minutes, with Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli and Erik Lamela all winning the ball high up the pitch.
Santi Cazorla, so often a hub of creativity in the Arsenal midfield, was singled out as the primary target, with the Spaniard forced into several uncharacteristic mistakes as the hosts struggled to build possession from deep.
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Such robust and coordinated pressure has become the hallmark of Tottenham under Pochettino.
The average age of the XI that began yesterday’s game was just 24.4, with the vim and vigour associated with youth clear to see in the visitors’ energetic performance.
Arsenal, by contrast, were slow and sluggish, the combined effect of injury to key players and a Wednesday night spent chasing Bayern Munich around the Allianz Arena producing a rather subdued and soporific showing for much of the game.
Alexis Sanchez, starting his first North London derby in the Premier League, was short of the dynamism that frequently leaves full-backs trailing in his wake, while Mesut Ozil was generally shackled well by Eric Dier, who continues to show a maturity that belies his tender years.
It is often said that collecting points having not played well is a sign of champions, so Arsenal deserve praise for digging in and forcing a draw after a display that was considerably below the level they are capable of.
While substitute Kieran Gibbs was the man to force the ball home at the back post, it was Ozil who created the equaliser with a stunning pass in behind the visitors’ backline.
The Germany international now has 10 top-flight assists this season, a superb return that evidences his importance to Arsenal and their championship ambitions.
Tottenham, too, are due plenty of credit for the way they imposed themselves against an excellent team away from home.
It is now 11 Premier League matches unbeaten for Pochettino’s side, who have become an extremely difficult side to play against.
There is a great deal of steel to the current Tottenham team, something not always associated with the club in the past. Their customary high tempo and hard-pressing approach could easily have led to a first victory at the Emirates since 2010.
“I think we deserved more,” Pochettino said.
“The way we played and the chances we created … it is my feeling that we deserved to win the game.”
The Argentine’s initial disappointment will likely give way to satisfaction in the coming days.
For both Arsenal and Tottenham, there were positives to take from a thoroughly entertaining encounter.
sports@thenational.ae
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