Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: 3 talking points as Gunners share derby spoils

Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka celebrates with supporters after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka celebrates with supporters after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 24, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal were forced to share the spoils in the season’s first instalment of the North London Derby.

In terms of spectacular north London derbies, this one won’t live long in the memory as Arsenal and Tottenham gave as good as they got in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

In a game where Arsenal twice went ahead through a Cristian Romero own goal and then a Bukayo Saka penalty, Son Heung-min brought the visitors level both times as the spoils were shared.

Perhaps the biggest thing to come out of the game was the injury to midfielder Declan Rice as the England midfielder was withdrawn at half-time and Arsenal suffered as a result.

Despite the draw, the Gunners remain undefeated early on in the campaign, but this result, despite leading twice, wasn’t the best from Mikel Arteta’s side.

Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: 3 talking points as Gunners share derby spoils

The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.

1. Declan Rice injury a huge worry

One area where Arsenal can ill-afford an injury is in the middle of the park. The depth in this position has been the Gunners’ Achilles heel for what seems like forever and with Thomas Partey already on the sidelines, it goes from back to worse.

We have heard that Rice was nursing a calf injury, but then another report stated he was dealing with a back issue.

Either way, Rice being injured leaves Arsenal with bare bones in the heart of the midfield. Not ideal.

Continued on the next slide…