Arsene Wenger in danger of damaging Arsenal legacy after Tottenham derby defeat

After this crushing defeat, even the manager conceded they had little chance of hauling themselves off the canvas and back into the race for a top-four finish after this latest body-blow.

Tottenham‘s stunning recent home form meant this was always going to be a major test for Arsene Wenger‘s side.

But the backdrop to this game – the final derby before the old White Hart Lane succumbs to the bulldozers with the final outcome significant to the ambitions of both clubs – also meant this was the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to make a statement about the spirit Wenger insists remains within his squad.

Results earlier in the day played into the Gunners’ hands; win both games in hand and they would be level on points with Manchester City in fourth place with Manchester United trailing in sixth.

And there was surely no way they would allow Tottenham to confirm they would finish above their north London neighbours for the first time in 22 years with victory, was there?

Sadly, from Wenger’s point of view, there was.

Instead of finally getting one over Mauricio Pochettino in the two managers’ sixth derby meeting, Wenger was forced to confront a defeat that will only strengthen the view of those who believe the Frenchman is now in danger of damaging his legacy.

There are still five games for Arsenal to claw back the six-point gap to City but this was not the display of a side capable of putting together the winning run needed to blow open the race for a top-four finish.

Wenger again opted for the back three that has given his side a more solid look. But yesterday that backline was riddled with holes that were repeatedly exposed by Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Heung-Min Son and Christian Eriksen.

And were it not for the heroics of keeper Petr Cech, Arsenal would have been heading back down the road to the Emirates Stadium on the receiving end of a humiliation.

Further forward, it was even worse for Wenger. On this occasion there was no spark of genius from Alexis Sanchez. More damning, there was little spark at all from Mesut Ozil.

In contrast, Tottenham played with the power and desire to win in all departments that was once the trademark of the early sides Wenger built at Highbury.

The Frenchman remains tight-lipped about his future and whether this will be his last north London derby. If it was, it was a desperately disappointing way to sign off.