A missed opportunity. When you play against ten men for the majority of the match you should expect to come away with three points, especially in front of your own fans. We had been the better side up to Eboue's dismissal and looked bright for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but just as they needed to throw caution to the wind, hesitancy - born of the precarious position the club find itself in - took over and a resilient Arsenal side clung on to a point.
In the first half we played some good football as Lennon and Modric probed for an opening on the flanks and Wilson Palacios, the game's outstanding performer, bombed about the pitch making his presence felt. However, as the burly central midfielder continued to perform as the match wore on, the two wingers became increasingly marginalised by a disciplined opposition.
It was no surprise that Modric looked most dangerous when he found himself drifting into central areas - his twists and turns creating openings for Lennon and Keane, as well a smart save by Almunia to deny the Croat a goal his first half display deserved. In the second half we were crying out for that sort of invention but what we got was a limp display from Jermaine Jenas. It was a shame that the introduction of Darren Bent didn't have as much of an impact on the match as it did on the top of Gael Clichy's head.
Elsewhere there were solid performances from Woodgate and Dawson, who are developing a fine partnership in the absence of Ledley King. All eyes were on Robbie Keane, making his "second debut", but the Irishman had a quiet game, save for missing a glorious chance in the second half.
All things considered, Harry Redknapp will be disappointed that his side didn't go on to claim a vital three points. I don't think we deserved to win the game, in that we weren't able to break down Arsenal's resistance but we certainly should have had enough to grab what would have been a very welcome victory. That said we were certainly the better team, on the balance of play, although Arsenal deserve some credit for an impressive defensive display and in the end they might have stolen the points were it not for a sharp save from Carlo Cudicini after Bendtner found space with a few minutes to go.
Player Ratings:
Carlo Cudicini - 8 - Gomes was fit enough to take a place on the bench this afternoon and given this display he might want to get comfortable. Cudicini was solid throughout and dealt with pretty much everything Arsenal threw at him (which wasn't an awful lot). Was called upon right at the last and did well to push Bendtner's powerful drive over the bar. Rapid distribution, predominantly to Assou-Ekotto, provided much needed forward emphasis.
Vedran Corluka - 6 - Not one of the Croatia international's better games for the club, but I am sure he'll recover. Tried to be too cute in letting a pass run out that never had the legs to get across the line and got caught out by the pace of Eboue in the move that led up to their disallowed goal. Should perhaps have been replaced with Chimbonda a little sooner, although the Frenchman didn't have the best of afternoons either.
Jonathan Woodgate - 7 - A good performance and a definite improvement from an abject display against Bolton. Marshalled Van Persie impressively.
Michael Dawson - 7 - Deserves a lot of praise for how he has recovered from a complete lack of form last season to become one of the most reliable players in the side. Showed great anticipation throughout as well as the bravery that has become his hallmark. Still prone to launching hopeful long balls forward.
Assou-Ekotto - 6 - Too quick to be pulled out of position and Eboue capitalised early on before Ekotto settled down. Cudicini used him as an outlet but his crossing was disappointing. Needs to vary where he crosses from because he was too predictable.
Aaron Lennon - 7 - Started brightly then threatened in fits and spurts, the winger's crossing let him down and he faded as the match wore on. However, he did work extremely hard and the passage of play which saw him track back 40 yards to win, and then retain, possession typifies the improvement in his all round game over the past couple of seasons.
Wilson Palacios - 8 - An encouraging display. Signed from Wigan to be the ball winner we have been crying out for, Palacios' tenacity, stamina and determination were clear for all to see today. Yes he sent one or two passes astray, but the amount of times he won back possession was extremely impressive and it looks like we finally have a central midfielder who can really put in a tackle. Showed he might also threaten from long range with two stinging shots. Deservedly won the man of the match award.
Jermaine Jenas - 5 - In the first half Jenas played like a man who knows his future at the club is far from certain. In the second he played like he already had one foot out of the door. A very disappointing second half display which saw him either give the ball away or allow the play to pass him by will have done little to convince Redknapp he is worthy of supplanting Palacios or Modric when Bentley returns on the left-wing.
Luka Modric - 7 - By now everyone knows Modric does his best work from central positions. In the first half he was genuinely classy - spraying the ball with crisp passes into feet and neatly twisting and turning to create openings for himself and others. In the second he faded, but really should have scored the goal that secured Harry all three points. Definitely has the potential to be a superb Premiership player but this might be a transitional season.
Robbie Keane - 6 - A display which was full of energy but little else. Might have had a penalty in the first half and continued running until the final minute. Also showed some of the vocal leadership qualities and presence that has been missing since he left. Really should have scored with a header that flashed over the bar but, all in all, a decent second debut.
Roman Pavlyuchenko - 4 - Against a side as technically gifted as Arsenal players won't be afforded the luxury of sloppy control. The Russian struggled to hold the ball up and impose himself on the match and when he did get his opportunity he fluffed it hilariously high and wide. Can have no complaints about being replaced by Bent.
Subs
Darren Bent - 4 - Added absolutely nothing to the game other than the blood on the pitch after a clash of heads with Clichy.
Pascal Chimbonda - 5 - The match was crying out for a more adventurous full-back but when he did come on he lacked confidence in possession and a final ball when it mattered.
Adel Taarabt - 6 - Has clearly impressed in training as he is getting a lot more playing time than at any time during his short Tottenham career. Showed composure to set up Modric for what should have been the winner but slipped back into hold habits when he fired wide when he really should have got the ball into the area.
SpursMad Man of the Match: Wilson Palacios
On this display our search for a ball winning, combative midfielder may well be over. Never stopped running and didn't give Arsenal's midfiedlers a moments piece. Seems blessed with impressive body strength and ferocious tackle. Gave the ball away too easily on occasions but there was little else to fault him on during a performance that will leave the fans desperate for more.