Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 talking points

Fresh from contrasting performances during midweek in Europe, North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs served up a Premier League classic at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday night.The away side took the lead in the first half courtesy of a Harry Kane strike. The Gunners went into the break a goal down but came out a changed side. They played a high tempo game and looked the threatening of the two sides.They eventually equalized in the second half with substitute Kieran Gibbs scoring the goal from a Mesut Ozil cross. The match ended 1-1 with both sides earning a point.Here are the talking points from the game:

#1 The assists continue

Mesut Ozil was once again at his best providing an assist for Kieran Gibbs who equalized for his side. He picked up the ball on the right wing and floated in a cross with his left foot. His teammate was at hand to guide the ball home.

The German international has been in lethal form for his club side notching up ten assists in the last eleven games. He has found his feet this season and is in the form of his life. As compared to last season when he suffered a knee injury; Mesut Ozil looks fit and that has perhaps been one of the reasons contributing to his confidence.

Ozil is a key member of his side and his form will be crucial to the Gunners’ chances this season.

#2 The \"HurriKane\" has landed

At the beginning of the season, there were questions about whether Harry Kane could do an encore of his performances from last season. After the first few games, that was looking highly unlikely. Kane was struggling in front of goal and his confidence was low.

However, he seems to have bounced back. Six goals in the last six games and Harry Kane looks set to do bigger and better things this time around. On Sunday night he scored against the Gunners to give his side the lead. From the left side of the field he ran with the ball and then put in a neat finish past Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal. Unfortunately for him, his side failed to hold on to the lead.

On the basis of the last few performances, it can be safe to say that the “HurriKane” has now well and truly returned.

#3 Giroud and Vertonghen have a silly battle

The Belgian and French internationals were at each other’s throats throughout the game. In the first half, Vertonghen was seen pulling Giroud’s shirt in the Spurs box and Giroud responded with his arms thereby throwing the Belgian to the ground.

In the second half as well there was pushing and shoving between the two players. Late on, Giroud came rushing toward Verthonghen as the latter was seen wasting away precious time from the Arsenal perspective.

There have always been slight tensions in and around the Franco-Belgium border and it looks like that spilled onto the field on Sunday. Thankfully for both players, nothing serious happened. Their actions in the first half went unnoticed by the men in charge and that is good news for both sides.

Both Giroud and Verthongen are key players and are crucial to their sides’ chances this season.

#4 Could inconsistency thwart Arsenal\'s title hopes?

Arsenal have been brilliant at times this season. They completely brushed aside the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich at home. But there have been times when they have been woeful.

The games against Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb and Bayern Munich away from home are few examples. Against their arch-rivals on Sunday, the Gunners were close to woeful in the first half. They hardly created any chances and didn’t look like a side that is challenging for the title this season. Things changed in the second half but had that intent come a bit earlier, the result could well have been different.

Inconsistency has always bothered Arsene Wenger’s men and they will have to let go of it if they are to win their first league title in more than a decade.

#5 What can Spurs aim for?

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have had a good season so far. Barring the opening day defeat at Old Trafford, Spurs have been consistent with their performances. They have beaten Manchester City and have a stronghold over their Europa League group.

At this juncture, one might well raise a question about Spurs ambitions this season. Like every other season, they are targeting the top four. With Chelsea being pathetic this season, that looks like a real possibility. Elsewhere, Leicester City and West Ham also have ambitions, while Liverpool could well make a push for that place.

Spurs have done well in the Europa League and perhaps the competition features highly in Pochettino’s plans this season. With the winner getting a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, there is bound to be excitement regarding the tournament.

With Harry Kane returning to form and the likes of Eriksen, Lamela, Alli and Alderweireld doing well, exciting times lay ahead for the North London side.