Monday 9 November 2015 12:49, UK
Thierry Henry was impressed by Arsenal's second-half desire in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, but felt the Gunners missed an excellent opportunity to move clear of Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Premier League leaders were held by bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon and Arsenal knew three points against north London rivals Tottenham would be enough to take top spot.
But Arsene Wenger's side had to come from behind, Kieran Gibbs earning a late point after Harry Kane's 32nd-minute goal had put Spurs on course for victory.
Arsene Wenger replaced Santi Cazorla, who was suffering from dizziness, with Mathieu Flamini at half-time, and despite an improved second-half showing, Gunners legend Henry rued the hosts' start to the game.
"I think Arsenal did enough to get back in the game through their desire, something they didn't have in the first half," Henry said on Sky Sports. "I still think Tottenham played better than Arsenal today.
"For me, you know that Man City drew their game and you can get two points ahead of them, and [Arsenal] did not take that opportunity. They didn't play well, and you have to win these types of games when you are not playing well.
You have to win these games [to win the league], especially when you are not having a good day. That's how you win the Premier League.
"No matter how, no matter what, especially against Tottenham. It was more about how Tottenham played at the Emirates Stadium - they wanted it more, they had more desire for a longer period.
"Yes, Arsenal came back with the right attitude - and Flamini was the symbol of it - but it was more an Arsenal focused on getting the ball in the box and winning headers.
"But I go back to the same thing; Man City lost two points today and it was a great opportunity - especially against Spurs. You have to win these games [to win the league], especially when you are not having a good day. That's how you win the Premier League."
Tottenham took the lead when Kane beat the offside trap and slotted past Petr Cech, and Mauricio Pochettino's side had chances to extend their lead through Christian Eriksen and Kane again.
The Gunners fought back and equalised through Gibbs' back-post volley, but Henry and fellow Sky Sports football expert Graeme Souness were impressed by Tottenham's confident display and believe they have a shot at a top-four finish this season.
"If they play like they played tonight, and do it week in, week out, I think they [Spurs] can do it [finish in the top four]," Henry continued.
"I think Spurs have a realistic chance of getting top four," said Souness. "They are a young group, and generally you get ups and downs with young players.
They [Spurs] have genuine quality, a fabulous goalkeeper, and Harry Kane is a handful. He's the best British one around of his type of forward. The top four is very much on.
"They have genuine quality, a fabulous goalkeeper, and Harry Kane is a handful. He's the best British one around of his type of forward. The top four is very much on.
"Tottenham were fabulous for the largest part of that game, they bossed the midfield and I think the turning point for Arsenal was bringing Flamini on. All of a sudden, he started to put a few challenges in. Before that, Tottenham's midfield players had just bossed the Arsenal midfield."
