SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Kane scores, Aubameyang misses
IN the end, two penalty kicks decided the latest north London derby.
Harry Kane’s spot-kick claimed a vital point.
Pierre-emerick Aubameyang’s threw away a possible two.
The draw ensured Tottenham retained a crucial four-point advantage over their arch-rivals in the battle for a top-four place.
Two successive league defeats had taken the gloss off their Champions League victory over German league leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Spurs will this week go to Germany to defend a 3-0 lead in a much happier mood.
Thankful, also, that Arsenal fluffed their lines.
It could have been so different for the Gunners if sub Aubameyang had not seen his dismal penalty saved by Hugo Lloris and was then denied a followup by brave defending from Jan Vertonghen.
There was just enough time to catch breath when Lucas Torreira, another Gunners sub, was given a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Danny Rose.
Pochettino, who turned 47 yesterday, said: “If you asked us again, we were better than them. It was a fantastic, exciting game, two teams wanting to play and win.
“It was tough for us to concede early, but I was happy with our personality, to draw and possibly win. “After two defeats, it was important to get back, particularly with a tough game ahead in Germany. “I spoke to Torreira at the end and wished him well. You have to rely on officials to give decisions. We can talk about defending, penalties, dismissals but they are all refereeing decisions and we must accept them.
“I was pleased for Hugo. He is a big player, and his mistake at Chelsea is over, forgotten. He made fine saves.”
Opening scorer Aaron Ramsey (left) and keeper Bernd Leno had looked once again ready to claim bragging rights for the Gunners.
Ramsey lifted heads and Arsenal hearts with a stunning solo goal, helped by Davinson Sanchez slipping while trying to control Laurent Koscielny’s
long, left-footed hoof. Alexandre Lacazette swiftly seized on the mistake and fed Ramsey just inside his own half.
The Welshman immediately raced clear, homing in on Lloris.
Victor Wanyama tried to stem his flow, but Ramsey evaded his challenge and Lloris’ desperate dive to slide it into the net after 16 minutes.
Thereafter, Arsenal fought a hard, rearguard action, relied heavily on breaks, but could have wrapped it up before Kane’s strike if Lacazette had brought his shooting boots, missing two easy chances.
Spurs always pressed and their 74th-minute equaliser was no surprise.
Kane looked offside when Eriksen floated over a free-kick, but there was no doubt about Shkodran Mustafi’s challenge on him.
Kane got up and rolled in the penalty.
Then, as the game was heading to its climax, Aubameyang was bowled over by Sanchez when chasing Mesut Ozil’s pass. He got up to take the penalty – and fluffed it.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery said: “I am proud of the players.
“We played like a team, our attitude was good and we could have won.”