Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#1 Sunday’s manic draw shows Arsenal and Spurs are still some way off from challenging for the title

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur seem far off the levels of City and Liverpool

The 2018-19 season produced one of the most compelling Premier League title races ever. Liverpool and Manchester City matched each other stride for stride with the latter edging the former by just a solitary point.

Though Spurs were perceived to be a part of the title picture, they never really generated the head of steam to ruffle Liverpool and City’s feathers.

Thus, as the new season dawned, many were intrigued to find out whether the Premier League would again be a two-horse battle or if those below had indeed strengthened to mount a sustained assault. And on Sunday’s evidence, one just feels that Arsenal and Spurs still have a long way to go.

The North London rivals churned out a pulsating encounter at the Emirates and the clash was sprinkled equally with calm and frenetic moments. However, both sides showcased a plethora of deficiencies, a sight neither set of fans would’ve particularly enjoyed.

The Gunners produced two moments of madness in the first half to fall a couple of goals behind whereas Spurs were careless in the second half.

The visitors failed to recycle the ball after the break and that enabled the home side to turn the screw. Pochettino’s men were also guilty of ball-watching as Aubameyang ghosted past Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen to poke in the equaliser.

Last season, City and Liverpool were quite spotless as they went toe to toe for England’s biggest prize. And unfortunately for the rest of the league, they’ve started in similar fashion this term.

Thus, one reckons that if any other team is to realistically challenge the 2018-19 top two, they’ll have to raise their game exponentially.

Yet, after today, it seems that Arsenal and Tottenham have plenty of miles to traverse, before they can harbour hopes of challenging for the title.