ARSENAL’S defending was comical at times in the first half – it was Sunday League stuff.
Sokratis didn’t need to go for the header for Christian Eriksen’s opening goal.
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Then David Luiz dived in again, gambling in the way he does all too often.
And goalkeeper Bernd Leno should have done better than just palm the ball into Eriksen’s path.
From start to finish, it was embarrassing how easy it was for Tottenham to get their two first-half goals.
Yes, Spurs stuck away their chances beautifully, including Harry Kane’s spot-kick.
But what on earth is Granit Xhaka thinking when he lunges in to give away the penalty?
There has to be a moment when he thinks ‘I have to slow down here because I’m going to wipe him out’ – but he never thinks about it at all.
If anything, Arsenal are worse now than they were last season.
Kieran Tierney is yet to come in but on this evidence they certainly haven’t improved defensively.
I see that as being an issue for Arsenal AGAIN going forward – a big problem.
Character-wise, though, they deserve credit for coming for from 2-0 down.
The key moment was Alexandre Lacazette pulling a goal back for Arsenal before half-time.
And it was Spurs’ own making in the way it came about.
Danny Rose had the first opportunity to clear the ball and then Davinson Sanchez had another, so Spurs only have themselves to blame.
If anything, Arsenal are worse now than they were last season.
Shearer on Arsenal’s defending
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With the attacking talent Arsenal have, they will always score goals through Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang, Nicolas Pepe and Lacazette.
Unai Emery started with a pretty bold formation but it didn’t go for his side until they got a goal back.
Then Arsenal’s tails were up and Dani Ceballos came on and gave them a lot more creativity.
Emery’s changes worked for Arsenal and they were the better team after the break, even though Kane hit the post with a brilliant shot.
Kane claimed a penalty at the end but I didn’t think it was one – he tried to create the contact.
It was end-to-end, I couldn’t believe how open the game was.
A great North London derby for the neutral because the defences were pretty poor.
The lack of protection in front of both back fours will be pretty worrying for their managers.
A draw was a fair result in the end, although Arsenal will be the happier with the way they came back from 2-0 down.
Spurs had some injuries – meaning centre-back Davinson Sanchez played right-back – but they looked a more balanced side in the first half.
They look very reliant on Kane’s goals but I still think they will be fighting for a place on the top four.
In Eriksen they had someone who could put their foot on the ball and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be delighted that the European transfer window is coming to an end.
Pochettino now has three months before the January window opens to convince Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen to sign new deals.
Spurs and Arsenal will be among four sides fighting for Champions League places who all have issues.
Manchester City and Liverpool are a million miles ahead of the rest.
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