Santi Cazorla was taken off at half-time in the north London derby after suffering from dizzy spells on the Emirates pitch, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The Spanish midfielder looked out of sorts during the first half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham and was replaced by Mathieu Flamini at the break.

“Cazorla was 30 per cent of his potential,” declared Wenger. “He was dizzy and I was thinking ‘should I take him off?’ He couldn’t move, you could see that on the pitch.

“I saw that Cazorla is usually guiding our game, but he couldn’t get the ball. At half-time I took him off and we had better balance in the second half. He says he’s all right now.

“It was a very intense game with complete commitment and in the end it was a fair point for both sides. When you’re 1-0 down it’s a mixture of relief and regret.

“I think we have shown character because we were on the ropes a bit and we responded. Every time we have a disappointment I think we respond well the next game.”

Wenger’s side fell behind in the 32nd minute when in-form Tottenham striker Harry Kane raced clear to score and the visitors could have added further goals but for some vital saves by Petr Cech.

Arsenal were eventually rescued by 73rd-minute substitute Kieran Gibbs, who was brought on in an attacking role and scrambled in Mesut Ozil’s cross just four minutes later.

The Gunners manager added: “I played him [Gibbs] there when he was a kid and I feel when he comes on he balances our team. He gets in good positions and it shows he’s an intelligent player.

“Cech kept us in the game. He has shown again how important he is and maybe goalkeeper is the most underrated position in football – there’s always a moment in the game when he can keep you in it.”