Tottenham Approach Excellence in North London Stalemate

The north London derby provided Tottenham's sternest test of this young season, and they provided their best performance yet.

Arsenal—the Premier League's form team—were never likely to roll over at home, and they took control in the opening exchanges.

Spurs' midfield took time to get to grips with the Gunners' swift ball movement. Once they did, they took total control.

Mousa Dembele was the first to challenge Arsenal in midfield, using his prodigious dribbling skill to drag the play out of the danger area. 

Dembele punctured their early dominance, and Dele Alli plunged through the breach. Given his impressive start to the season, it is perhaps unfair to call this performance the 19-year-old's coming of age, but it was his most impressive showing to date.

Alli knitted the defensive and attacking aspects of Spurs' five-man midfield ably. He chased aggressively, tackled intelligently and provided a constant passing option. He forced the Arsenal defence to retreat as he ran fearlessly at them and seemed the likeliest source of the elusive second goal.

It was a nearly superhuman display from a teenager, dominating against an international-quality midfield.

While Alli shone brightest, blogger Chris Miller noted that Spurs' excellent performance was orchestrated by a field of stars:

"

Between them, Lamela and Dembele made 15 tackles today. And Eriksen/Kane chased *everything*. They really made the press work.

— Chris Miller (@WindyCOYS) November 8, 2015"

Tottenham dominated as a team with Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane and Erik Lamela all making crucial contributions. Danny Rose gave a fine assist for Kane's opener while Kyle Walker was a constant danger on the other flank.

When Spurs beat Arsenal 2-1 last season, it was prematurely judged the culmination of Mauricio Pochettino's project.

In that victory, Pochettino's team were excellent, but it was a display that could not be replicated in the following months.

At that point, Spurs still relied too heavily on unreliable players.

That is no longer the case.

They now possess a drastically improved back four with a rock-solid midfield and an attacking trio able to contribute equally in attack and defence. 

"

Cracking North London derby. Whatever the result there is no doubt in my mind that Spurs are on the right track with Pochettino.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 8, 2015"

Arsenal, with a place at the summit of the Premier League at stake, were played off the park at their home ground.

That Tottenham failed to finish the job and claim the three points their excellence clearly deserved is a source of frustration. It is not proof that this Spurs side possesses the same soft underbelly of their predecessors but an indication that they are not yet the finished article.

Pochettino's side gave a mature, polished performance that was undermined by a key weakness.

The Gunners were constantly able to trouble Tottenham from set pieces. Their aerial dominance was the one area in which the home side had the advantage.

Kieran Gibbs' equaliser and Olivier Giroud's numerous chances to steal the win came that way.

Spurs returned to their side of north London with only one point but with an assurance that they are growing into a top team.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Unbeaten in 11 matches, one win outside the top four and consistently producing fine showings, Tottenham are moving forward.

Kane is back in top form and surrounded by an excellent supporting cast.

Yet there remains great potential for improvement.

Victory would have prevented Arsenal's return to first place and seen Spurs move just two points behind their rivals. Six draws in 12 matches so far this season is not a good enough return for a team playing this well and aspiring to UEFA Champions League football.

At this point, with 21 points from 12 matches, Spurs are on course to collect 66 points by the end of the season.

This would be an improvement on last season's tally but likely insufficient to trouble the top four places.

The draws with Arsenal, Liverpool, Swansea and Everton were all solid performances, but Spurs must find another level to break into the league's elite.

Pochettino's system is clearly highly effective and getting the best out of his players.

The injuries to Nacer Chadli and Heung-Min Son have limited Spurs' attacking options and heaped the pressure on Kane to deliver the goals.

The 22-year-old has responded to the challenge, but the returns of Son and Chadli will help lighten the load.

Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb have also missed significant stretches of this season, and their restoration to the list of available players is crucial. With the physically demanding style Pochettino has installed, Mason and Bentaleb will provide vital reinforcements when fatigue begins to bite.

Spurs have impressed in most of their matches this season.

The poor performances have been the outliers, but the challenges continue to arise. Three games over seven days remain in November. London derbies against West Ham and Chelsea land on either side of a UEFA Europa League trip to face Qarabag in Azerbaijan.

West Ham are currently level on points with Spurs, despite winning just twice in their last six matches. The first match after the international break gives Tottenham the opportunity to send them back to east London further chastened.

Victory in Azerbaijan would secure passage to the knock-out rounds of the Europa League, but the nearly 6,000-mile trip is sure to present unique challenges.

Then comes the opportunity to deal another blow to Chelsea's stuttering title defence.

The Blues' travails have entertained the fans of every other club, but it is seemingly inevitable that their form will turn eventually.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Chelsea have just 11 points, 10 behind Spurs. Liverpool, too, are trailing as the season races towards winter. Their struggles suggest that this could be the season for Tottenham to break back into the Champions League.

Their performance at the Emirates was evidence that they are good enough.

Tottenham have steadily climbed the Premier League table after recovering from a slow start, but they must win with consistency if they are to genuinely push for the top places.