Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the North London derby.
Mauricio Pochettino has told ESPN that it was impossible for Tottenham Hotspur to start Dele Alli against Arsenal in the North London derby.
Alli was all set to be in Tottenham’s starting line-up at the Emirates Stadium, but the England international picked up an injury in training late last week.
And Pochettino admits that although the problem is not expected to keep Alli out for the long-term, he was simply not fit enough to be involved earlier today.
“Dele Alli suffered a minor problem in his knee,” Pochettino said.
“He clashed doing tactics yesterday and twisted his knee a little bit. It’s a minor, minor problem but impossible he could be available today.’’
Alli’s absence was part of the reason why Tottenham decided to change formation for the derby match.
Spurs switched to a 5-2-1-2 system, which worked to good effect against the Gunners, as Pochettino’s side picked up a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal took the lead in the contest when Kevin Wimmer nodded the ball into his own net, but Spurs hit back through Harry Kane to claim a point.
Tottenham’s draw means that they are now unbeaten in their first 11 Premier League matches this season, and they are currently in fifth place in the top flight standings.
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