Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Spurs: 5 things we learned – Arsene Wenger got it wrong

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal shake hands prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal shake hands prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Top-four hopes dashed

Arsenal needed a win for more than just North London recognition on Saturday. Yes, Spurs are a team most certainly on the up. Yes, Mauricio Pochettino has built a team that may even be more attractive to potential signings than their local rivals. And yes, even without a trophy, they are definitely catching the Gunners’ size and stature. But, first and foremost, this game was about the Premier League table.

Before kick-off, Arsenal sat four points behind Spurs. Certainly not an ideal position to be in, but after the 2-2 draw between Spurs and Liverpool and Chelsea’s recent capitulation, there was still a chance to re-establish themselves in the top-four race. Evidently, they didn’t.

Now, Arsenal sit seven points behind Spurs, which is a gap that seems fairly unassailable, and could, if results go against them, by the end of the weekend, be nine points behind Liverpool and eight points behind Chelsea, who would, with a win, sit in fourth. That seems like a mountain to big to climb. It is possible, but there is little reason to think that they are capable.