'November nerves' for Arsenal as Spurs battle back to draw

Spurs emerged from the north London derby with a hard-earned point that leaves them five behind league-leaders Liverpool but serves to prove their title credentials.

But while the draw reflects well on Tottenham, there will be concerns among Arsenal fans after the Gunners threw away the lead against their arch-rival at home.

Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot in the second half and Mousa Dembele excelled in midfield as Spurs ended the game "by far the happier" says Henry Winter in The Times. They may be without a league win since early October, but they are also the only unbeaten team in the division.

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"This felt like a timely nudge to the nation that Spurs are part of the five-strong Premier League race," says Winter. "The parochial passion play that is the north London derby simply served to cast light farther afield, highlighting why this is shaping up to be one of the tightest, most competitive jousts in years."

There may, though, be warning bells for Arsene Wenger. "A team with shaky resolve since the end of the Invincibles era, Arsenal must now avoid retreating into ritual anguish over their November nerves, when they habitually shed points," says Winter.

It is hard to know what to make of the Gunners' title hopes this season, says David Hytner of The Guardian. "Against Tottenham on Sunday, they failed to make a statement and it was a source of frustration for them that they surrendered the initiative after being 1-0 up at half-time. Physically, they were flat and creatively, they came to look laboured."

It could be significant that "Arsenal have not yet had an away game against one of their rivals in the top six, whereas they have played three of them at home", he says, adding the trip to Manchester United after the international break will be "instructive".

Arsenal have only five points from a possible nine, says the Daily Mail, and need to prove this is only a "brief stumble" in their title chase.

The paper adds: "A trip to Old Trafford is up next for the Gunners and they need points to give faith to the idea that their traditional November dip will not be a problem this year."