Tottenham Hotspur player ratings after derby draw with Arsenal

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Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal drew 1-1 this weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino opted for a change of formation by deploying a back three in the Premier League North London derby against Arsenal.

Here we review his players’ performances in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Hugo Lloris (7/10) – Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘sweeper-keeper’ looked composed and assured under Arsenal pressure – particularly in a 20-minute spell before half-time as the Gunners created numerous chances on Lloris’s goal. He was fortunate that Theo Walcott’s strike rebounded off the frame of the goal and away to safety. Helpless for the game’s opening goal.

Eric Dier (6/10) – Was deployed as the right sided centre-back as Pochettino chose to set his team up with a back three. After playing in midfield for the last year, reverting to a role in central defence looked like a tough task for Dier – especially when up against Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi and Walcott. Picked up a yellow card in the second half.

Kevin Wimmer (5/10) – The central defender gave the ball away on more than one occasion and was yellow-carded within the first five minutes of the game. Wimmer’s poor positioning and failure to deal with Mesut Ozil’s free-kick led to his own-goal just before half-time. Short of first-team action, which showed throughout Wimmer’s shaky performance.

Jan Vertonghen (7/10) – Looks just as comfortable on the left of a back three as his does when playing in the centre of a back four. Vertonghen’s distribution from the back is always composed – almost too much so at times, as Arsenal’s attacking force applied pressure throughout the game.

Kyle Walker (7/10) – Attacked with intent and purpose on Spurs’ right hand side, regularly getting the better of Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal in the opening stages before Arsenal found their footing in the game. Walker was a consistent outlet for Spurs’ attacks, before an ankle knock from the first half led to Walker being replaced by Kieran Trippier (6/10) for the last ten minutes.

Danny Rose (6/10) – A disappointing display from Rose, who was played as a left-wing-back. The attacking threat posed by Arsenal’s Walcott and Hector Bellarin curtailed Rose’s impact on the game from a Spurs view point, as the England international only managed to show glimpses of his ability.

Victor Wanyama (8/10) – The combative Wanyama played a vital role in providing cover for the likes of Mousa Dembele, Christian Eriksen and wing-backs Walker and Rose. Throughout an outstanding performance, Spurs’ unsung hero dealt with the threat of the roaming Mesut Ozil with apparent ease.

Mousa Dembele (8/10) – Spurs are a much better outfit when Dembele plays. The Belgium international’s developing partnership with Wanyama was crucial for Pochettino’s side as the duo out-performed their Arsenal equivalents, Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin. Dembele’s purposeful run resulted in the penalty award.

Son Heung-Min (7/10) – Gave Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi a torrid time in the early stages. The South Korean forward’s presence on the game diminished as the home side recovered from Spurs’ impressive start.

Christian Eriksen (7/10) – Along with Son, Eriksen was afforded a little more freedom after Pochettino’s formation tweak – enabling the Danish playmaker greater creative impact on the game. Denied a goal by a fine Petr Cech save in the second half.

Harry Kane (7/10) – After seven weeks out injured, Harry Kane returned to the starting line-up and took his time to familiarise himself with Premier League competition – including a missed headed chance in the 21st minute. Kane converted Spurs’ 50th minute penalty to extend his scoring record against Arsenal to 17 goals in 22 games. Replaced by Vincent Janssen (6/10) in the 72nd minute.