Arsenal dropped points in the North London derby, drawing 2-2 with rivals Tottenham after leading twice at the Emirates on Sunday.

After a superb opening 35 minutes, it looked as if Arsenal were going to run away with the game, outclassing Spurs and fashioning plenty of chances.

The early gameplan was to give Tottenham the ball at the back and then press them into a mistake deep in their half. 

The approach gave Arsenal plenty of opportunities, including one for Gabriel Jesus around the penalty spot which he blazed over. On another day, the Gunners would have been out of sight after Cristian Romero deflected Bukayo Saka's shot into his own net for the opener.

But there was a sense of frustration at the missed chances, and Tottenham were able to get back into the game in the first half through Son Heung-min.

The Gunners stabilised slightly after the break despite losing Declan Rice to injury and Saka converted a go-ahead penalty - after a VAR check - on 54 minutes. The joy, and the relief, of the goal was felt throughout the ground.

But a minute later the ball was in Arsenal’s net off the back of a needless error by Jorginho - Rice's half-time replacement - gifted a two-on-one to Son and James Maddison up against William Saliba who could only watch as the clinical duo played around him.

From that moment on, Arsenal never really looked like scoring again, despite a late wave of pressure.

It’s the same team as last season, in a massive game, the emotion is understandable and something that won’t go away any time soon.

But on Sunday, it felt costly in several moments, lacking a cool head to bury the game earlier, getting caught up in the relief of the goals, and being unable to regain control.

In truth, it felt like the game against Liverpool at Anfield last season that all but ended the title race. But this time, more than at Anfield, it felt like Arsenal’s own fault.

It’s frustrating to drop points in a derby in that manner, especially after dominating the opening period. The team showed how brilliant they can be. Unfortunately, they also showed there’s a way to go. 

After a midweek EFL Cup tie at Brentford it is a Premier League clash on the south coast with Bournemouth, then a trip to French club RC Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday before an Emirates encounter with Manchester City.