Arsenal missed a 'big opportunity' against Tottenham to 'send a message to their rivals'

Arsenal missed a "big opportunity" against Tottenham Hotspur to send out a warning to their Premier League rivals, according to Alan Shearer. The former England striker believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be ruing their 1-1 draw against Spurs, who were missing Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld for the crunch clash.

Arsenal took the lead in the derby game through a Kevin Wimmer own goal, but were pegged back early in the second half courtesy of a Harry Kane penalty. In light of Spurs' injury absentees and their modest run of form recently, Shearer thinks Arsenal will regret not winning the game.

"It was a big opportunity for Arsenal to send out a statement in the North London derby," he said, as quoted by The Sun. "And while it was an excellent game and a fair result, I'm sure Arsene Wenger and his team will view it as a missed opportunity.

"Spurs had two key players out in Toby Alderweireld and Dele Alli and were using a new system, plus Arsenal were playing at home. And while Spurs were going into it still unbeaten they hadn't played well since they beat City at home.

"They were slow and sluggish against Leicester and were awful against Leverkusen in midweek. Arsenal will have looked at this one, seen how Spurs had been playing and will now feel it was two points dropped."

Shearer, 46, believes Arsenal are a stronger side this season than last and said the summer signing of Shkodran Mustafi has added some much-needed solidity to their backline. However, the pundit remains uncertain about Arsenal's title credentials.

"Arsenal have a better team than last year but it remains to be seen if they're good enough to win the league," he said of Arsenal's prospects. "I'm not going to say they can win it because they've fallen apart when it really matters too many times in recent years.

"Shkrodan Mustafi has made a difference, while they have more muscle in midfield. Also, playing Alexis Sanchez through the middle, has freed Mesut Ozil. Even though both of them were a little bit quiet against Spurs they are a better team with those two playing in tandem."