How Tottenham Drew: Away vs Arsenal

Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham as a whole can be proud of this performance. Even if it only resulted in a point, this is the best Tottenham have looked in perhaps years.

Spurs were dominant at times in a way that they have always promised to be but rarely ever achieved. That they didn’t pull out of this with a win is a testament to how well Arsenal clawed back into the game in the second half.

What happened to inspire this level of optimistic and penetrating play? Well, not much different than what usually happens when a full strength Tottenham side takes to the pitch, just dialed up to 11. The pressing game was about as concentrated and efficient as it ever had been before. Pochettino no doubt took note of how flustered Arsenal looked as Liverpool attempted to press high up the pitch in their highly entertaining 0-0 earlier this season. He ensured his attacking four never gave Arsenal’s defense a moment’s rest, closing them down as they tried to build from the back or running through the channels to latch onto quick passes. Kane’s goal came from the latter scenario, as Danny Rose chipped a long ball forward as Arsenal’s exhausted defense were caught napping.

Tottenham’s defense was as keyed into the game as they had been all season, breaking up Arsenal’s passing game and keeping Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud’s chances limited. Issues remain with defending set pieces, but overall this was a performance that showed just how much progress Pochettino has made with the backline and Eric Dier.

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Mousa Dembélé had another excellent game even if he didn’t managed to sustain his scoring streak. Rather than being a persistent threat on goal, he reverted to the role of the central engine of Tottenham’s efforts high up the pitch. He managed seven successful tackles and had the second highest number of successful passes among Tottenham players with 38. This is the kind of performance he’s been turning in all season – spotless, ruthless, metronomic. Against all odds, after three seasons with the club Dembélé is becoming one of the most important individuals in this Tottenham team.

As aggressive Tottenham were for sustained bouts in this game, that effort came at a cost. Pochettino’s pressing game is by its very nature exhausting, particularly if you’ve been asked to do it three times in six days. Tottenham attempted to deal with this reality mostly by keeping possession for minutes at a time, recycling the ball back and forth across the pitch with ease as Arsenal declined to imitate Spurs’ success and try pressing for themselves.

Unfortunately, such ideal circumstances were never going to be stable. When Arsenal reclaimed possession of the ball, they often ran at clearly winded Tottenham players, ones not always capable of tracking back and organizing the defense.

Next: It's Deja Vu Once Again for Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium

The stats reveal just how often this happened. Contrary to the overall feel of the game, Tottenham actually managed less passes in Arsenal’s third – 120 – as Arsenal managed in Tottenham’s – 163. Arsenal also edged Spurs out in terms of total passes and possession. All of which is more or less expected given that Tottenham were the visitors and likely would have been much more concerned with containment and counter-attacking if Arsenal didn’t look so vulnerable to the press. Looking at Expected Goals though, those issues with set pieces might have even given Arsenal the win in the end.

Regardless, a draw seems the appropriate result for this match. This was as competitive and chippy a match as could be expected between two of the best teams in the Premier League.