Why I wasn’t impressed with our draw against Arsenal

I thought we threw it away. That game was there for the taking, and we let it go. Poor communication at times, but at others, we were totally on the ball. Erikson started, as he probably should have started in other games. We had Alli on the bench, who eventually came on.

The only positive thing I can say about this game was that we didn’t lose and that we are only the fourth game in so a lot can happen between now and the end of the season. But standing from this point in time, I can’t see us challenging for the title.

As for the only other piece of Silverware – Champions League – even though we seem to have a more comfortable run than previous seasons – in the group stages – it doesn’t mean we’ve got a god-given right to be at the final again this time around. Personally; as things stand at the moment (and I would love to be wrong) is the only chance of silverware would be if we seriously challenged for the FA & League Cup.

As for the fourth spot; where we are lucky is that there are only two teams that are outstanding at the moment (Liverpool & City) so for the next two places it will be between us, United, Arsenal and Chelsea and I don’t think those three are good enough. Granted, one of them will also be in the top four with us. Out of the three, I think it could be Arsenal. Chelsea & United are struggling, at the moment. But all this is based on what I see now, but as I said, things could drastically change.

Unai Emery’s side found themselves in big trouble at two goals down, but they fought their way back to parity and pinning us back for most of the second half. We lacked attentiveness, and it showed after their first goal went in. The Gunners were guilty of poor defending and moments of carelessness and we should have capitalised on that more.

Lacazette’s goal with seconds left of the first half was vital for them, lifting the spirits of Arsenal’s players and their supporters and setting a platform for a second-half that was low on moments of high class but full of fervour and entertainment.

The action swung from end-to-end but Arsenal looked stronger after the break with 20-year-old Guendouzi performing well in midfield.

Guendouzi indeed showed greater composure than his captain Xhaka, who was guilty of a moment of crass stupidity when diving into a sliding challenge on Son to concede a penalty.

The young Frenchman almost scored only for Lloris to make a brilliant save and it was his probing ball into the box that was diverted in by Aubameyang.

As I said, It is becoming clear that the title is a two-horse race between Liverpool and Manchester City but Arsenal and Spurs will feel that they can make a serious top-four challenge – although once again questions must be asked about both teams defending.

We will be very disappointed at only getting a draw after establishing such a position of strength at 2-0, but in the end, there was almost a sense that we should be grateful for a point.

We continue an indifferent start to the season as we have five points from our first four games, with just one win at home to Aston Villa.

We were given tough away assignments at Manchester City and Arsenal and come away with points, that could be construed as a positive. Where we should have won was against a poor and pointless Newcastle (up until they beat us).

The experiment of using Davinson Sanchez at right-back was not a success, in my mind and on several occasions Pochettino showed his exasperation (for all to see), both at moments of poor defending and also when we were wasteful in attack.

At least we were grateful for a superb display of shot-stopping by Lloris but Pochettino will be frustrated that our side looked to have the Gunners where we wanted them before the break, then ended hanging on for long periods in the second half.

Some for statistic for you:-

We have dropped 42 points from winning positions in the Premier League against Arsenal – 11 more than against any other side in the competition.

We are winless in our last eight away league games, drawing two and losing six. We last endured such a run on the road in our eight games between December 2011 and April 2012.

Arsenal have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League home games against us, a 2-3 defeat in November 2010 after being two goals ahead.

Christian Eriksen has now scored 50 Premier League goals – the first Danish player to reach this landmark – whilst also becoming the first Spurs player to register both 50-plus goals and assists for the club in the competition.

What’s next for us: after the international break, we resume our Premier League season with a home match against Crystal Palace on Saturday, 14 September (15:00 BST). The last time we met them, as you will remember, was on our first game at the new stadium.

Until next time, enjoy the break.