Pundit explains why Spurs’ point at Arsenal was more significant for them

Former Premier League defender Danny Mills has signalled the importance of Tottenham Hotspur avoiding defeat against Arsenal last weekend.

Tottenham came into the North London derby on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side found themselves 2-0 up after 40 minutes courtesy of a Christian Eriksen tap-in and a Harry Kane penalty.

Frustratingly, the away side could not hold onto the lead until half time when Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back in stoppage time.

Despite only managing to come away from the Emirates with a point after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled in the second half, Mills believes that the draw was a significant result for the lilywhites.

With Liverpool losing just one game in the top flight last season, Spurs could hardly afford a second successive loss if they were to still hold out any hope of challenging for the title.

Despite finding themselves in ninth place in the Premier League table going into the international break, Spurs have managed to pick up points away from home against Manchester City and Arsenal which was something they failed to achieve in either game last season.

Mills told Football Insider: “It’s a north London derby – if Tottenham would have lost, it would have been massive, absolutely massive. That would have been them losing two games already this season.

“Liverpool lost once last year and came second. It was a must-not-lose for Spurs, the stakes were bigger for Tottenham than they were for Arsenal.”