Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal: Five talking points from north London derby

A dramatic, pulsating north London derby ended in a 2-2 draw on Saturday, after Alexis Sanchez struck a late equaliser for 10-man Arsenal.

The Gunners took a first-half lead through Aaron Ramsey's clever flick but Spurs struck twice in quick succession following Francis Coquelin's sending off, with Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane beating David Ospina.

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Tottenham were denied victory and a move to the top of the Premier League table, though, by Sanchez's finish with 14 minutes to play.  

Here, we pick out five talking points from the game - including what the result means for the title race...

Gunners show character 

The character and spirit of Arsenal's players has been a target for their critics at various points this season, but particularly in the wake of their defeat to a youthful Manchester United team last Sunday and the midweek loss to relegation-threatened Swansea.

On Saturday, the Gunners delivered a timely response. After standing firm before grabbing the opening goal in a first-half in which Tottenham dominated possession and territory, Arsenal responded to the triple blow of Coquelin's red and two goals from Alderweireld and Kane to grab a point through Sanchez - the Chilean's first league goal since October.

"We have shown great spirit all the game," Wenger said afterwards. "I'm proud of the spirit and the response from 2-1 down with 10 men. But we have regrets because it looked like we were completely in control. It's difficult to take."

Indeed, the draw was not the ideal result for Arsenal but when their backs were against the wall they came up with a spirited response which they can build on during a demanding run-in.

Coquelin's red card - and lucky escapes for Dier and Bellerin  

When Sanchez slotted in Arsenal's equaliser, Coquelin will have been the most relieved man in White Hart Lane. Until then, it seemed the Frenchman's sending off had cost the Gunners.

The midfielder's first-half booking for handball was forgivable. Harassed and hounded by Eric Dier and Dele Alli, Coquelin grabbed the ball to try to prevent a Tottenham break. But his 55th-minute lunge on Harry Kane was senseless. The Spurs striker was going nowhere, Coquelin had cover and his challenge left his team-mates short for a substantial period of the second-half.

However, referee Michael Oliver could well have sent others off, too. Dier would have expected to have received a second yellow for a blatant tug on Olivier Giroud - as Wenger was quick to point out after the game - while Hector Bellerin, who had also been cautioned earlier, grabbed a chunk of Alli's shirt and tripped the England man with two minutes to play.

Masked Kane's superb strike after Ramsey's invention 

Kane hadn't scored in four games since breaking his nose but ended his mini-drought with a sublime, curling strike from the left flank which cannoned in off the far post. Like Alderweireld's close-range blast two minutes earlier, Ospina had no chance.

The goal was Kane's 14th in 18 Premier League London derbies and the England international now has four goals in three league games against the Gunners. He was centimetres away from another when Ospina blocked his close-range drive on the line - goal-line technology highlighting just how close he was to being awarded the goal.

Kane's goal may well be a contender for goal of the month - but was it even the best in the game? Earlier, Ramsey opened the scoring with a stylish flick past Hugo Lloris. 

Ospina impresses in place of injured Cech

Petr Cech's performances for Arsenal have been much praised this season and his absence on Saturday due to a calf injury was seen as a significant blow. But Ospina - making his first Premier League start of the 2015/16 campaign - proved to be an ideal deputy.

The Colombian could do little about Spurs' quick-fire goals in the second half but produced several fine saves at crucial moments. Ospina made nine stops in all - the most by any Arsenal goalkeeper in the Premier League in seven years - and his close-range block to deny Erik Lamela in the first half was the pick.

Only once before had Ospina conceded twice in a Premier League game for the Gunners and that was in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Spurs last season. He'll take fonder memories from his latest trip to White Hart Lane.

Advantage Leicester

Leicester were the winners from this north London derby. A point apiece for Tottenham and Arsenal leaves the Foxes five points clear at the top of the Premier League after they beat Watford 1-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday Night Football.

For the second time in a week, Spurs have missed the chance to hit the summit. Mauricio Pochettino will have to pick his team up after the disappointment of surrendering a 2-1 advantage over 10-man Arsenal - and won't have long to do so, with a tough trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League on Thursday.

As for Arsenal, Wenger stressed the importance of getting back to winning ways. For all their battling against Tottenham, the gap between the Gunners and top spot could stretch to eight points on Saturday night. It's imperative Wenger's side take three points against West Brom next weekend, after a midweek FA Cup tie with Hull. 

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