Harry Kane cancelled out a Kevin Wimmer own goal to help Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the North London derby.
The Gunners took the lead in what was a flat contest, which saw five shots on target all game, as Kevin Wimmer glanced the ball into his own net.
Kane was on hand to convert a penalty after Mousa Dembele was sent tumbling inside the box, however, meaning a fourth draw in succession for the Lilywhites, who still remain unbeaten in the Premier League.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. Spurs may head into this game unbeaten in the top flight so far this season, but it is their opponents who find themselves three points better off in the table and with one eye on claiming top spot this afternoon.
That is down to the Lilywhites' sticky patch of form of late, which has seen them fail to win any of their last six in all competitions - including three draws in succession in the Premier League. The Gunners have won 10 of their last 11, meanwhile, though that one slip-up - if you can call it that in the midst of such an impressive run - came in their last home outing.
TEAM NEWS!
Arsenal XI: Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Bellerin, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Alexis
Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Wimmer, Rose; Dier, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Son; Kane
Let us start by looking at the visiting team, because there is some huge news - Harry Kane starts for Tottenham. The England international, who looked to be hitting form prior to picking up his injury against Sunderland on September 18, starts for the Lilywhites. That will likely mean that Son Heung-min starts just off him in the hole, having failed to maintain his impressive form of September over the past few weeks.
There is more shock news from a Spurs perspective, too, as Dele Alli misses out due to injury. Eric Dier therefore moves back into midfield, alongside Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele, the latter of whom was a major doubt for this game after limping off against Bayer Leverkusen with an ankle injury. Moussa Sissoko will not feature due to suspension, while Ben Davies, Erik Lamela and Toby Alderweireld are also ruled out.
The return of Kane really is big news for Spurs, who have lacked goals in his absence, but you have to wonder just how many minutes he can player after missing more than a month of action. The Englishman scored two goals in three games prior to his injury, and he will no doubt play a pivotal role this afternoon positioned at the head of this Spurs side. The full-backs are as you were - Kyle Walker and Danny Rose stepping in, but Wimmer is made to deputise with Dier moving into midfield.
In terms of the hosts, Arsene Wenger has opted to stick with Alexis Sanchez in a forward role, meaning that Olivier Giroud is benched. There was a debate over whether the Frenchman would change things around slightly after that trip to Bulgaria just five days ago, but he has given Alexis the nod to continue his leading role; the Chilean scoring eight and setting up five in 14 appearances this term.
No surprise to see Mesut Ozil on the team sheet, either, as he has been directly involved in eight goals in his last five games - a run that includes a memorable strike against Ludogorets last time out when chipping the keeper, rounding a couple of players and then rolling the ball into the net. Granit Xhaka also comes into midfield, occupying a deep role, having returned from a three-match ban for his red card against Swansea City last month.
Hector Bellerin was a doubt for this match due to injury, while Theo Walcott was also expected to miss out after sitting out the past couple of games, but both players start this huge clash at the Emirates Stadium. Hector Monreal is also selected in the starting XI after overcoming an injury problem of his own, but there is no Santi Cazorla in the squad this afternoon which is a major blow for Arsenal.
BENCH WATCH!
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou, Janssen
Vincent Janssen has not had quite the impact he would have wanted at his new club, being restricted to three goals so far - all of which have come from the penalty spot. The Dutchman starts on the bench this afternoon due to the return of Kane, taking his place on what is a largely inexperienced Spurs bench. Aaron Ramsey has returned to action with a couple of assists over the past eight days or so, but he is made to settle for a place on the bench, as are Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud.
The big team news for this afternoon's clash is that Harry Kane is fit to start for Tottenham Hotspur. The Englishman's inclusion is a huge boost for Mauricio Pochettino, as he has scored four goals in four games against the Gunners and adds a serious goal threat to this side. Theo Walcott also starts, meanwhile - a player who has five goals against Spurs and will back himself to add to that tally today.
Arsenal start the day trailing leaders Chelsea by a couple of points, following the Blues' hugely impressive display against Everton yesterday evening. The Gunners made a slow start to the season, taking one point from six in an admittedly difficult start, but since then they have not looked back and are now looking like the potential title-winning side that many expected them to be.
The Gunners have won 10 of their last 11 games, scoring 32 goals in the process and largely brushing aside opponents with ease. The 4-3 loss to Liverpool on the opening door could well have been a blessing in disguise, as Wenger sparked into action and made a couple more signings - Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez - which has seemingly helped his side to click into gear.
Mustafi has had more of an impact that Perez, it is fair to say, having taken up his place in the heart of defence alongside Koscielny and made it look like he has featured there for years. Arsenal have far more about them now compared to recent seasons, boasting real depth all across the field - as evidenced by the bench roles this afternoon for Giroud and Ramsey, both of whom have returned in style over the past week.
Wenger's men have gone 15 games without tasting defeat now in all competitions since the opening-game loss to Liverpool, with that their only defeat of the campaign. The Gunners have dropped points just once since August in the Premier League, meanwhile - a goalless draw against Middlesbrough here last time out that could well have ended in a narrow loss had Petr Cech not produced a couple of vital saves to deny he Smoggies picking up a shock result.
Any hopes their title rivals had of seeing a blip from the Gunners soon evaporated last time out, though, as they destroyed Sunderland 4-1 at the Stadium of Light; Giroud and Sanchez both scoring twice to keep up this positive run of form. Those three points helped to keep Arsenal in the mix at the top, alongside Liverpool and Manchester City, and the Citizens' draw against Boro on Saturday means that Wenger's charges can now pounce.
Arsenal are also into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, where they will face Southampton on home soil - a fixture that Wenger would have no doubt taken if offered to him prior to the draw being made last week. The Gunners' comeback win over Ludogorets in midweek also leaves them well on course to finish top of their Champions League group, which will ultimately be the target for Wenger as he has so often seen his side fall at the last-16 hurdle in recent times.
The elephant in the room, which simply has to be mentioned, is the Gunners' record in the month of November. They have notoriously struggled in the 11th month of the year, picking up fewer points than in any other month. That may well continue this year, too, as they face Tottenham and Manchester United either side of the international break, while also taking on Paris Saint-Germain in Europe.
Arsenal have scored 32 goals in their last 11 games, winning 10 of those and also losing just one of their last 20 in the Premier League stretching back to last season. That is quite an appropriate stat to look at, as the Gunners ousted today's opponents in the closing weeks of the season to finish above them yet again. The Lilywhites were hot on eventual champions Leicester City's heels at one stage, but they faltered badly and the Gunners pounced to finish second.
Arsenal picked up one point from their first four games, albeit in tough fixtures against Liverpool and Leicester City, but have since gone on a superb run of form that has seen them win 10 of their last 11 in all competitions and score 32 goals in the process. The Gunners are currently two points off league leaders Chelsea at the start of play and require a win here to climb to the summit.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Tottenham Hotspur have only won once at Arsenal in 26 matches since May 1993, drawing 10 and losing 15 since then. That rare win on enemy territory came six years ago when recovering from two down to win 3-2. It is worth mentioning that the Gunners have gone four games without a win over the Lilywhites, though, and they have never previously gone five without a win under the watch of Wenger.
Spurs head into this game on the back of what can best be described as a mixed run of form, meanwhile. Unbeaten they may be in the league, but Pochettino has seen his side falter in recent weeks both in Europe and domestically - failing to win any of their last six. The Lilywhites were on a real high after beating then-leaders Manchester City here prior to the last international break, but it is fair to say that they have since failed to truly push on.
They have not won since seeing off City, in fact, with their Premier League and Champions League bids faltering as a result as we approach this latest two-week break from club football. Spurs have drawn with West Bromwich Albion, Bournemouth and Leicester City over the past few weeks, as well as taking one point from six against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and also tasting defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup to exit the competition prior to the quarter-final stage.
It has not been a disastrous run of form, in fairness, as Spurs are still in contention both in Europe and domestically. It is fair to say that supporters were expecting far more after that impressive win over City, though, as they were racking up wins for fun through September and into the start of October. It is still 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League, however, which highlights just how tough they are to beat.
All that without their best player for the past six games, too, as Kane has been made to watch on from the sidelines. Spurs have scored just three goals in their last six, but have conceded only five goals in the Premier League all season and kept five clean sheets - by far the best record in the division, which was only made more impressive by Everton's incredible collapse against Chelsea yesterday.
Only twice before have Spurs gone 11 or more games without defeat; 1960-61 and 1959-60, although on both of those occasions they failed to win the title, finishing second and third respectively. It has also been nearly a decade since they last drew four games in succession, a result that the visitors would probably take today, so we could be on for some history this afternoon should the spoils be shared in North London.
Spurs face a tough run of games this month, much like Arsenal, as they take on fellow London opposition in West Ham United and Chelsea after this game in quick succession after the international break. One game at a time, though, and Pochettino will be confident as he has not lost against the Gunners in four meetings - no Spurs manager has gone five, so a chance for him to write his name in folklore today.
DID YOU KNOW?! The team that has scored first in this fixture has failed to win on 23 occasions - a higher rate than any other in the Premier League. Only once before has this famous matches kicked off at midday, meanwhile - that coming in November 2004 when Arsenal won 5-4 in a thriller. I'm sure many neutrals will take just the nine goals this afternoon!
Both set of players are now out on the field of play, with kickoff just a couple of minutes away. Prior to a ball being kicked, let us see what both managers have had to say.
Arsene Wenger: "This is more than a derby. It's an important game for us because it's a big home game and we have an opportunity to show that we have an interesting role to play in this Premier League, and that we can win these kinds of games. What is important is that we focus on ourselves, on the quality of our performances. We know that we have done very well away from home, and we can do well at home. We know as well that the success of our season will depend on how well we do at home."
Mauricio Pochettino: "Always it is important to have Kane. In the last few seasons he has been very important for us. He was top scorer in the Premier League [last season] and always the player who is top scorer in the Premier League is important for any club. It is true he has a good record against Arsenal. It is important he is back and can help the team get a good result."
KICKOFF! A positive start to the game for Arsenal, as they go direct in an attempt to get Ozil in. Lloris was quick to read the danger on this occasion, but clear to see the Gunners ' ploy inside the opening minute or so here.
A cross from the left is met by Walker, who gets under the ball and heads well over the bar. Hard to tell whether Spurs are going with five at the back at the Emirates Stadium, with Dier comfortable sitting in deep midfield or in the backline.
Poor defending from Mustafi, as he allows Son to turn him and charge in down the left. The cross came in but Kane could not quite turn it home, though it has been a positive spell for Spurs who appear well up for this game.
YELLOW CARD! Kevin Wimmer enters the referee's book for a late challenge on Coquelin - the right call by Mark Clattenburg who ultimately had little choice. Not the type of fixture that you want to be sitting on a yellow card for close to 90 minutes!
Sanchez is left frustrated as a pass into his feet comes after he strayed into an offside position. A fast tempo to the game but still no real chances; that Son run in behind the closest we have come to a breakthrough so far.
Dembele looking bright in the opening 11 minutes or so of this North London derby, bringing the ball forward to help Spurs. It is the visitors who have looked just about the more composed in so far, with the Gunners unable to find their rhythm.
Pochettino confirmed pre-match that Alli will be out "for a few weeks" after picking up an injury in training on the eve of this match. That will only really effect Spurs for this game, but England will have to make do without the midfielder for games against Scotland and Spain.
The tempo of the game has now dropped somewhat, bringing it into line with what we can usually expect from a midday kickoff. Spurs the side currently knocking the ball around in midfield, looking to make something happen.
It does appear as though Spurs have gone with five at the back this afternoon and, unlike Everton at Chelsea yesterday, it is working well as the Gunners have yet to create anything. A slow start to the game, to say the least.
Arsenal are still struggling to get a foot on the ball, with Spurs the team looking more like the hosts. Coquelin with a strong challenge on Rose to get the fans going - more of that would not go amiss following a quiet opening 19 minutes.
CLOSE! The first real exciting moment of the match, as Eriksen floats a ball into the box for Kane to nod narrowly wide of the post. Not an easy chance by any means, but the returning striker so nearly buried it.
Spurs looking by far the more composed side, with more than a quarter of the match now played. Still awaiting that first real chance, but if either side is going to find the breakthrough then it looks more likely to be the Lilywhites.
Home fans beginning to get a little frustrated now as they continue to see their side struggle to adapt to this five-man Tottenham backline. Only 25 minutes played but this is not the Arsenal we have become used to seeing this term.
Arsenal finally look to get bodies forward into the opposition box, and it nearly pays off as the ball is chipped to Coquelin who puts his foot through it on the volley. It was blocked away in the end but did appear to be on target.
The ball breaks loose for Sanchez, who smashes it high over the bar. Kyle Walker is currently down receiving some treatment - not a great sign for Spurs who are already having to make do without key midfielder Dele Alli this afternoon.
SHOT! A rare opening for Arsenal, as Ozil is picked out in space on the edge of the box. The in-form German's shot was rather scuffed, though, ending well wide of the target in the end. That sums things up so far!
SAVE! Sanchez and Ozil combine before the ball is played to Iwobi, who sees his shot easily kept out by Lloris. He should have been doing better from there, left alone in he box but slipping and failing to get power behind the attempt.
It is fair to say that Arsenal are moving through the gears now, creating that Ozil opening and a really good chance for Iwobi. Spurs now having to ride out this spell of pressure, with the Gunners the side on top with 10 minutes of the half to go.
Walcott whips a free kick into the box, which Kane headed clear. A really flat atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium, no helped by the early kickoff, with neither side able to find any real momentum in this first half.
OFF THE POST! Walcott so close to scoring his sixth career goal against Spurs, taking on a shot from range early and rather catching Lloris off guard. The ball cannoned back off the upright and the rebound was blasted over by Ozil.
Tottenham's turn to attack now but, unlike their opponents a few minutes ago, they are unable to do anything with the ball. That Walcott strike is by far the closest we have come to finding a breakthrough; the Gunners now well on top.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (KEVIN WIMMER, OWN GOAL)
A stunning header from Wimmer opens the scoring in this North London derby - into the wrong net! Ozil's free-kick delivery was nodded past his own keeper by the Austrian, on what is his first appearance in the Premier League this term. A few Arsenal players appeared to be offside when the initial ball came in, though.
Walcott having words with Wanyama, claiming that the Kenyan used his elbow when in a 50-50 duel. Half time two minutes away, with the Gunners protecting a lead which came in fortuitous circumstances to say the least.
Coquelin collides with Mustafi, leaving the summer signing down on the ground and in need of treatment. It could well be a broken nose for him, but half time is seconds away so he will have a chance to put it back in place if that is the case!
HALF TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Referee Mark Clattenburg sounds his whistle for half time, bringing to a close a first half that never truly got going at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will not care too much, as they have a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Kevin Wimmer own goal a few minutes before the break.
It took a while for the game to truly get going, with neither side able to find any sort of rhythm inside a quiet opening quarter to the contest. Spurs, going with five at the back for this midday showdown, came close to opening the scoring 22 minutes in with the game's first chance, which returning striker Harry Kane glanced wide of the target. With 30 minutes on the clock Arsenal finally started to click into gear, as Mesut Ozil blasted wide when picked out in space and Alex Iwobi tested Hugo Lloris when being slipped through on goal.
Theo Walcott, who has five career goals against the Lilywhites, hit the post soon after and then the key breakthrough goal finally arrived for the hosts. A free kick from Ozil into the box was nodded into his own net by Kevin Wimmer, who marked his first Premier League appearance of the season by putting his side a goal down. Spurs had reason to be unhappy as a couple of players appeared to be offside when the initial ball was played into the box, but the decision was not given and they went into the break a goal behind.
Spurs looked pretty composed in the opening quarter of the match, creating one half-chance for Kane which the Englishman nodded wide. Pochettino will be expecting a vast improvement in the second half, though, as they must now really get at their opponents. Arsenal also looked rather flat at times, but stepped their performance up in the final 10 minutes or so.
Could Mauricio Pochettino be tempted into make a half time change? His Tottenham Hotspur side trail 1-0 to Arsenal at the midway point of a North London derby that has yet to truly ignite.
ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBS: Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou, Janssen
RESTART! Spurs get us back under way at the Emirates Stadium, desperately seeking a route back into this game. The Lilywhites will perhaps feel aggrieved to have gone in a goal down, but they still have 45 minutes to turn things around.
Spurs started the half positively enough but, again, they have not really asked any questions of their rivals' backline. Pochettino has just sent a few of his subs out to warm up, so we can expect to see a change or two shortly.
Super play from Son, who knocked the ball past Koscielny and so nearly had a clean shot on goal, if not for the defending of Bellerin who got across well to cut the ball out. Spurs starting to step things up a little now.
PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR! Now then! A mixture of Koscielny and Monreal bring down Dembele inside the box - the former making the telling contact, which led to Mark Clattenburg pointing straight to the spot.
GOAL! ARSENAL 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (HARRY KANE, PEN)
Five goals in five North London derbies for Harry Kane, who sends his penalty right down the middle. Cech frustrated at himself for not keeping that out, but he should vent his frustration at Koscielny for giving the pen away.
SAVE! Xhaka sends a shot sailing high over the bar, summing things up as far as Arsenal are concerned. Spurs then get the ball forward quickly, with Mustafi's weak header falling nicely for Eriksen to strike. Cech was equal to it, though, pushing the ball aside.
A promising cross into the box is headed behind by a Spurs defender, as Arsenal look to grab a foothold in this game. Bar a 10-minute spell, it has been a hugely underwhelming showing from the Gunners in an attacking sense. Wenger must surely be thinking of a change.
Best move of the match so far, as the ball is spread nicely to Rose down the left. The cross was decent, too, but Monreal superbly got across to deny Kane tapping the ball in from a few yards out, evening earning his side a goal kick in the process.
CLOSE! The chances starting to arrive at both ends now - Iwobi sending in a delightful ball which Xhaka appeared to pull out of heading at the last moment. It confused Lloris a little, as he parried the ball behind.
Eriksen tries his luck from a good 40 yards out, but he was never going to trouble Cech from there. Ramsey is being readied to come on, and word is that Coquelin is the man who will make way - an attack-minded change by Wenger.
ARSENAL SUB! The first alteration of the afternoon is indeed Ramsey for Coquelin. The Welshman's last goal came against Spurs earlier this year, and he also has a couple of assists since returning from his injury layoff.
Mustafi trods on the feet of Rose, leaving the full-back down on the ground. He appears to be OK to continue, but Pochettino has Trippier waiting in the wings should the England international fail to shake off the knock.
YELLOW CARD! No real action over the past 10 minutes or so, with both sides again struggling to create any openings. A poor Iwobi pass allowed Spurs to counter, and a Koscielny challenge on Kane was deemed illegal by referee Mark Clattenburg.
ARSENAL SUBS! No messing around by Wenger, as he brings on Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain for Iwobi and Walcott. All three changes made, each of which has added some fresh, attacking impetus to the Gunners' ranks.
SHOT! Ozil is played through but Lloris is quickly out and the German is unable to lift the ball over him. A corner for Arsenal nonetheless, which falls for Ramsey to smash over the bar - decent attempt, but it was always rising.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Kane has lasted longer than expected, but he is now replaced by Janssen. The summer signing is yet to score from open play this term, scoring all three of his goals from the penalty spot. Dier is booked for an illegal challenge.
Real panic at the back for Spurs, as the ball falls for Bellerin to blast towards goal. It takes a deflection and Lloris is there to pounce. Those attacking changes appear to be working as far as Wenger and Arsenal are concerned.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUB! Further bad news for Southgate, as Walker hobbles off the field. Tripper a more than able deputy, coming on for the final 10 minutes or so with his side looking to preserve this point.
Arsenal fans urging their side on now, as Tottenham start to knock the ball around at the back. No pressure on them, which is strange to see with the Gunners the side the more desperate to pick up all three points this afternoon.
It is looking more and more likely that the spoils will be shared in this North London derby, as the chances have well and truly dried up. It has been far from a classic; neither side truly doing enough to deserve the victory.
OFF THE POST! Eriksen's free kick curls in dangerously, with nobody getting a touch and the ball eventually coming back off the post and to safety. Both teams have now hit the upright in a game of minimal chances.
Good defending from Wimmer to sweep up the ball, as Arsenal look to thread it through to their forward duo. Ozil and Alexis have been incredibly quiet this afternoon, unable to really get their foot on the ball in the final third.
Real frustration for the hosts, as substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain blasts over from a tight angle. Prior to that, Son appeared to pull out of a 50-50 challenge with Cech after the keeper charged out 50 yards from goal.
CLOSE! So nearly a dramatic finish to the game as a Sanchez cross from the left is met by the head of Giroud, but it lacked any real power and Lloris barely had to break into a sweat to keep it out.
Half a chance for Janssen, who got his volley completely wrong and failed to even get a shot away when a cross came in from the left. We are now three minutes into five added on at the Emirates Stadium - still time for either side to win this.
FULL TIME: ARSENAL 1-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
The full-time whistle is blown at the Emirates Stadium, meaning a fourth league draw on the spin for Tottenham Hotspur. It is a result that they surely would have taken pre-match, but they may now feel that they missed the chance to capitalise on Arsenal's rather sluggish display. Harry Kane's second-half penalty helped the Lilywhites to their latest point, coming after Kevin Wimmer had put the ball into his own net 43 minutes in.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at the Emirates Stadium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while reaction will also follow in due course. Coverage from Liverpool's meeting with Watford is also under way, so be sure to stick with us for that one. Enjoy!
