Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur played out a gripping 2-2 draw in the latest instalment of the North London Derby. Mikel Arteta‘s side twice took the lead, only to be pegged back on both occasions.

The result leaves Arsenal pondering missed opportunities and how they allowed Spurs back into the game on two occasions. As they tend to do, Tottenham rose up for their cup final and Arsenal allowed nerves to get the better of them.

Speaking to the press after the match, Mikel Arteta said, “We’re disappointed not to win the game, especially when you go ahead twice.

“It’s a shame that we didn’t win it. When we scored again and then conceded straight away it affected the team emotionally.

“I think they are a really good side.

“They’ve got a really good coach. You can see the spirit in the team and the energy around them, but six games is too early [to make a judgement on what they will be fighting for at the end of the season].”

The Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglu, also had some nice words to say about Arsenal which really just makes the whole thing feel weird.

“I thought both our full-backs had difficult jobs today. Arsenal have outstanding wide players but they dealt with it. Destiny picked up a yellow card but I felt he dealt with it well and ended up as the dominant player on that side. It will have been a great learning experience for him.

“It’s not about being happy with the result. You can get a result and a draw and thinking you’ve escaped but I didn’t think that today.

“I thought we went toe to toe with a top team.”

When asked about the penalty awarded in the first half after the ball hit Romero‘s hand, Postecoglu said, “It seems like some times it hits your hand and it’s a penalty and other times it’s not a penalty. It is what it is mate, you hope these things even themselves out.”