Spurs v Arsenal: the North London Derby (a potted history).

We hoped for a lot more!

The day started off brilliantly – weather-wise – so I decided to wear my summers clothes (shorts etc) and made my way to Goodmayes station (I stayed overnight in London), from there to Highbury & Islington station. Once I got out of the station I made my way to the Emirates ground and met some familiar faces and chatted.

Because I now have a walking stick one of the Tottenham Away supporters liaison officer’s directed me to an entrance that got me in quicker (to be honest, as I was early it really didn’t make a difference, but I appreciated the gesture). I got myself a pie and beer and then met Terry. This was followed by Martin (the other Martin I had previously mentioned, sadly, has given up his season ticket, along with his dad… I will miss our away trips and chats together). After our conversations, we went to Terry’s seat and met Beverley and Rick and chatted more, then I made my way to my position.

One thing I wanted to comment on, concerning the way supporters area, at Arsenal; I found the facilities were inadequate and that there are no seating arrangements, so we had to stand all the time, that is ok if you are physically able, but there were a lot older people and people with certain difficulties, shall we say. When they built the stadium they didn’t think it through, or just didn’t give a damn about the away supporters’. I’ve never been there, but I believe the away section (at Tottenham) for the supporters’ are a lot better.

Anyway, to the match. Once it had started we/ I had to stand – which is par for the course at away grounds, irrespective of a persons durability. At least they stopped putting pointless messages up, that standing was forbidden (and then ignored their own warnings).

My prediction for the match was that we would win 2-1 (so far my predictions have been perfect/ not!).

The reds staged a comeback to earn a point in a thrilling North London derby. We could have and should have won this match if we had only concentrated a bit better than we did. This is another blow to the start of our season. We looked to be in complete control when Christian Eriksen pounced to put us ahead in the 10th minute after Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno pushed out Erik Lamela's shot. Leno then saved superbly from Son Heung-min before he was senselessly hacked down in the area by Granit Xhaka to allow Kane to score his 10th goal in 11 derby games.

A side note; as Eriksen was playing in this game then it doesn’t look like he will be leaving in this European transfer window.

Once the half time whistle came it was time to sit down and take the weight of my feet.

Arsenal started their revival when Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before they laid siege to our goal after the break. Hugo Lloris saved superbly from Matteo Guendozi's low shot and from substitute Dani Ceballos before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed the poacher's instinct to turn home the equaliser with 19 minutes remaining.

Kane struck the inside of the post and Sokratis had a goal ruled out for offside. We also had strong penalty claims rejected when the pair clashed late on, but neither side could make the decisive breakthrough and this entertaining encounter ended with honours even.

After the match I made my way to the station, walking among the Arsenal supporters. It is always wise when going to such Away games not to show your colours otherwise you could be in trouble, more so if they had lost. People have been stabbed for a lot less.

Compared to the last time I went to the station (Highbury & Islington), on the way back, it seemed a lot quicker this time around. The only delay I had was on the platform, where I had to wait for a train to Stratford, which was about 12 minutes. I suppose in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t that long. 

When some people see somebody with a walking stick, they offer you their seat, which I and others are grateful for. What annoys me is when there are kids just sitting, and parents don’t blink an eyelid; and it doesn’t matter if there is a pregnant woman, a disabled or old person. When I was a kid we had to stand if there was somebody else needing the seat more. But as I said, there are one or two that will get up for you. So, decency isn’t totally dead yet.

Anyway, I got back to Hanna’s house at 7.50 pm, had something to eat and left at eight to get home for 10 and bed.

The result lifts Arsenal to fifth in the Premier League with seven points from four games, while we head into September's international break four places behind our rivals in ninth on five points.

On a positive note, it is only four games gone and if that match tells you anything, is that we can turn things around, but we must concentrate more. Some of our passing was poor, on other times our passing was spot on. We’ve got to get it right otherwise, we could end up having a disastrous season.

Our next match will be against Palace at home.

By Glenn Renshaw