Wenger is left feeling flat by two points lost
Five days after the elation of Mesut Ozil’s delicious late winner in Bulgaria and Arsene Wenger was left to bemoan weariness and fading creativity.
Arsenal skipped into the derby with swagger, energised by good form and fit-again players returning having been spared the trip to face Ludogorets in the Champions League.
Tottenham trudged down the Seven Sisters Road carrying an injury pile-up and the threat of an early exit from europe, with goals in short supply — and still managed to annoy the neighbours. Not since March 2014 have Arsenal taken three points from Spurs but this result left an impression because they failed to keep in stepp with leaders Liverpool.
‘it is two points lost,’ said Wenger. ‘it wasas a game of high intensity. in the first half we looked like we could score every time we crossed the halfway line. in the second half we looked flat physically, and less sharp.
‘ We couldn’t find creativity around the box and the vision we are used to. Our level dropped. We were a bit too stretched as well, so we had to run more. We were a bit unlucky with the penalty decision, and Spurs defended crosses well in the final 10 minutes. We couldn’t make enough of our corners, and missed some crosses.’
As if to pre-empt accusations that this was the first sign of seasonal flakiness, Wenger added: ‘The desire was there. i cannot question the spirit but we looked a bit flat.’
Arsenal led at half-time after an own goal by Kevin Wimmer but Spurs were soon level when Harry Kane converted a penalty.
Going into the international break, Liverpool and Chelsea — teams with no european commitments — top the Premier League. ‘it is easier to prepare for games because you don’t have the intensity of the Champions League games,’ said Wenger.
‘There’s a little physical advantage, especially after european weeks, but we have to deal with that. it is not an excuse, even if they’re in front. it is a small difference after 11 games.’
Spurs are without a win in seven games, a run stretching back to October 2, when they beat Manchester City. They have scored only four since in the league, three from penalties, and are five points adrift of Liverpool. But Pochettino was satisfied. His team avoided defeat, Kane was back, and so was the spark and their usual strength at the back. Tottenham are unbeaten after 11 league games, their best start since 1960, wwhen they were unbeaten in 16 and went on to win the Double.
Kane was returning after 10 games out but Dele Alli, eerik Lamela and Toby Alderweireld were all absent, Moussa Sissoko was banned and Kyle Walker limped off. ‘All teams have good and bad moments,’ said Pochettino. ‘if you have bad moments, as we have had this month, and you are still unbeaten, all i can do is smile.
‘We have suffered issues, so we can’t rotate in the way we want. i am very happy. This was a strong performance. The feeling is fantastic.’
The Spurs boss deployed a back three but insisted he had not been seduced by tactical fashions or Chelsea’s recent success with a similar back-line. ‘Just because Chelsea won 5-0 it doesn’t mean they discovered the system,’ said Pochettino. ‘Last season at Watford we played on December 28 with three centrebacks. it is just important to be flexible. We always need to adapt.’