Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham Hotspur missed an opportunity to step up their Premier League title challenge, after failing to beat 10-man Arsenal in a pulsating 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.
Pochettino's side remain in second place, five points behind leaders Leicester City, but the Tottenham manager was left frustrated after Spurs squandered a 2-1 lead against their bitter north London rivals.
Alexis Sanchez’s 76th minute equaliser ensured Arsene Wenger’s side escaped with a point, despite having lost Francis Coquelin to a 55th minute red card when they were leading through Aaron Ramsey’s first half goal.
“I think with the way we played we deserved more. At 11 against 11 I think we deserved more and were unlucky in the way we conceded the first goal,” Pochettino said.
“But there are a lot of games ahead; nine games and a lot of points. It is true we missed a big opportunity but in the same way I think Arsenal is a very good team with very good players.
“It is true the feeling is we missed a big opportunity but we need to be positive about that.”
Read more: As in derby thriller, Arsenal are still playing catch up in title race, writes Greg Lea
Also see: Facing rout, West Ham respond – and can now envision Champions League future
Pochettino insists his young side will not pay for their lack of experience during the title run-in, after a week in which they lost at West Ham and then slipped up against Arsenal.
But he believes his team will benefit from their efforts this season, no matter what the outcome of the campaign.
“It’s not about maturity. It’s not about character. These are always the things people say about us,” he said.
“I can give a lot of examples of big clubs with experienced players who concede goals in the last minute.
“Sometimes the opponent can create good chances and it is unlucky but it is not about maturity because all the teams sometimes concede goals like this.
“We have come from a very busy period. All season we have been busy. It is true in the last few months we have played a lot of games.
“It’s crazy sometimes, so for that we feel very proud. The effort from the squad is fantastic.”
Ramsey put Arsenal ahead, but Spurs recovered with two goals in two minutes from Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane after Coquelin had been dismissed, before Sanchez equalised.
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