Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal's failure to maintain their high intensity levels throughout their meeting with Tottenham Hotspur was the reason why they 'dropped two points'.
The Gunners took the lead in Sunday's showdown at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a Kevin Wimmer own goal - the Austrian putting into his own net following a fine Mesut Ozil cross.
Arsenal were far from their best and created few clear-cut chances in front of goal, though, which ultimately cost them as Harry Kane converted from the spot on his return to action shortly into the second half.
Speaking to reporters after the 1-1 draw, Wenger admitted that his players "looked flat" as the game progressed.
"I agree [it was two points dropped]," he said. "It was a game of high intensity where I felt in the first half we looked always like we could score every time we crossed the halfway line. In the second half we looked a bit more flat physically, a bit less sharp.
"We couldn't find the creativity, the fluency around the box and all the things we are used to. I think our level dropped. I felt maybe we weren't compact enough, too stretched. In the first half they played many long balls and they stretched us because we pressurised very high so it's more difficult.
"Did we get a little bit of a mental blow when they equalised, I don't know? But overall when we were questioned in the final 15 minutes we had no physical answer good enough to win the game. But we tried. I cannot question the spirit or the intensity of the game."
The Gunners now find themselves fourth in the Premier League table, two points off new pacesetters Liverpool.
Daniel Lewis
