Arsenal-Tottenham battle could be full-on slog for the title this year

A topsy-turvy North London derby saw the team who dominated the game reduced to holding on by the end. But both of the North London clubs have shown that they are capable of battling at the top of the table this season.

On 28th August 2011, Arsenal were beaten 8-2 by Manchester United and Spurs beaten 5-1 by Manchester City. That season City won the title and United battled them at the top. This season, Spurs beat City 4-1 and Arsenal beat United 3-0. The tables are turning, and North London is getting in on the title action.

Last night, Spurs fought hard, worked hard and really should have put the game to bed before the 75-minute mark.

Only a few good saves by Petr Cech saw a team who lacked a killer instinct from finishing-off the Gunners. Suicidal defending let them in behind, but the chances either weren’t clear cut or were saved brilliantly by a goalkeeper earning as many points for the Gunners as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil do at the other end.

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Spurs played as we’ve come to expect from Mauricio Pochettino. This is perhaps the best Spurs side we’ve seen since they finished fourth under Harry Redknapp, yet they’re made up almost exclusively of young players who have either been brought through by Pochettino himself or sourced early from other clubs around Europe.

Erik Lamela has become something approaching the player we thought he’d be when he first joined the club as Gareth Bale’s replacement with a big reputation. Christian Eriksen has been dangerous as usual, but has added more of an edge to his game, aided by the bustle and work-rate around him. Harry Kane is still Harry Kane, despite reports to the contrary.

More importantly, the defence have completed a miraculous turn-around from team who conceded as many goals as two of the relegated sides of last season, into one with one of the best defensive records in the league. They’ve conceded only ten goals so far, only one more than City and Arsenal and two more than those defensive maestros Manchester United.

So the progress is almost obvious at this point, just given the stats and the form of certain players. But what’s even more impressive is the fight in the team. Having dominated for most of the game, to concede an equaliser must have been heart-wrenching, but to hang on and earn a point was heroic.

We praise Pochettino’s team for their fitness when seeing-out games better than their opponents, when pressing furiously for 90 minutes or when they score in the dying moments. But last evening showed their mental toughness as well as their physical toughness. Against a team with some wonderful attacking talent – Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Flamini in advanced positions notwithstanding – and against a raucous crowd baying for blood, Spurs held firm.

It was a testament to their defence, but also to the fact that they wanted it badly. What Spurs can take away from this is their show of strength, they won’t be title favourites this season, but they could well be in the mix.

Arsenal, on the other hand, can take something similar.

We’re now, it seems, in the midst of the annual Arsenal capitulation. Injury crises, missed opportunities and a potential exit from the Champions League al threaten Arsenal’s season. Yet yesterday they put up with it in a way they never have before.

Some inspired subs from Arsene Wenger fooled us all. No one thought that he could bring on Kieran Gibbs as an attacking threat and actually change the game. But I, and many others, had the experience Arsenal fans have been having for years. You should always trust in Wenger!

He brought in Petr Cech this season as the only signing, and he’s been winning them points. The defence looks more confident, and even when they’re beaten, Cech still comes to the rescue. The squad looks like it’s dealing with the injury crisis. Things look good for Arsenal, despite a distinct lack of signings over the summer and an injury crisis.

What used to be the point of no return for Arsenal’s season has become just a tough spell.

Both North London clubs can take so much from the derby day draw. The contest was tied, but that’s sometimes what you get between two tough competitors. If they both play the way we know they can after this game they’ll be up towards the top of the table come the end of the season.

This time the Manchester clubs may not be so far out of reach.

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