Arsenal’s fringe stars will get a chance to shine amid injury crisis, Declan Rice showed his value without playing and it’s time for a re-think on handball after Cristian Romero gave away penalty… THREE THINGS WE LEARNED from the North London Derby

• Arsenal’s fringe players need to step up following wrath of Gunners’ injuries 
• Declan Rice showed how quickly he’s come a vital player in Arsenal’s midfield 
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Sunday saw one of the best games of the season so far, as Arsenal and Tottenham fought out a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium. 

Bukayo Saka’s deflected shot off Cristian Romero opened the scoring for the Gunners, before they were pegged back by Son Heung-min. 

Romero’s handball was then punished by a Saka penalty following a VAR call, to see Arsenal retake the lead, only for Son to grab his second of the game just a minute later to level the tie. 

The point a piece means both teams remain unbeaten so far this season, with only goal difference separating them in the Premier League table.

Here’s three things we learnt from the first north London derby on the season.  

Bukayo Saka celebrates his penalty in the 2-2 north London derby draw with Tottenham 

James Maddison (right) laid on two goals for Son Heung-min and earned his side a point 

Fringe players given platform to shine  

With 13 minutes of regulation time to go, Reiss Nelson entered the pitch for Gabriel Jesus. In the 97th minute, Emile Smith Rowe made an appearance, too.

Both have been largely absent since the season’s start, questions in particular raised by supporters about Smith Rowe’s lack of involvement.

Yet from now, both players among others will now be thrust onto the main stage. Mikel Arteta has no choice.

The injury list continues to grow, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard joining a burgeoning catalogue which already contains Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli.

With fixtures in the Carabao Cup, Champions League, FA Cup and league approaching, Arsenal’s strength in depth comes into the picture.

It’s time for Emile Smith-Rowe and Arsenal’s fringe players to step up for the Gunners 

It has long been the rationale to have two full-strength players for each position. Just the goalkeeping scenario involving David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale shows this. And at a time where injuries are biting and the fixtures unrelenting, that plan shines strong.

The situation can be flipped into a positive in two ways: players who have been benched for extended periods of time now have the chance to show their worth, and the fans who have called upon Arteta to give such players a chance get to see whether they really should or should not have been involved more thus far.

Smith Rowe’s contract doesn’t expire until 2026, while Nelson signed a four-year deal in July. Both have been signed to long-term deals for a reason: they are seen by the club as commodities who are valuable now, and for the future.

The next few weeks may just show what part they could play in the ‘now’ period.

Midfield cooked without Rice 

Without looking to shower Declan Rice with praise every week, a comparison at the Emirates was there to be seen.

If a player who joins a new team does not immediately hit the ground running from day one, it does not mean they are a bad player or one who won’t eventually reach their potential.

But a player who is able to instantly have an impact on both the game and their team-mates is a rare acquisition.

Rice was taken off at half-time with discomfort in his back, and was later seen with strapping around a calf, too.

Declan Rice’s importance was shown after the midfielder had to make an early exit 

Arsenal’s second-half display in central midfield was not at the same level, in part because of Rice not being there. He had proved a strong foil against the likes of James Maddison, whose level subsequently rose in the second period.

Kai Havertz, in comparison, came on for Fabio Vieira in the second half, the Portuguese having been nullified by Spurs’ physical presence.

Havertz played OK, certainly better than his first couple of games, and won a few important headers in the Gunners’ own box, yet did not look as threatening in goal-attacking scenarios.

He is becoming more accustomed to his team’s style of play. Yet it will be still some time before we see whether he can reach the potential Arteta believes he can get to, and how long he will be persisted with as a starting XI component.

It just shows how important the signing Rice was for this club.

 Give us a hand on the rule 

Week-to-week the same topic has a habit of rearing its head: was it handball in the box? Yesterday it was Cristian Romero’s arm at the centre of the debate, the VAR adjudging the ball striking his arm from Ben White’s shot as a handball infringement.

The matter is a complicated one which many a manager can’t get their heads around.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou had a valid point in his post-match press conference, mentioning the penalty given to Luton’s Carlton Morris on Saturday against Wolves.

Managers want more clarification on the handball rule after Cristian Romeo was punished 

He said: ‘I’ve got no idea about the handball rule. I really don’t. I saw the one at Wolves and it just seems if it hits your hand it’s a penalty, and then other times if it hits your hand, it isn’t a penalty.

‘I’ve got no idea. It is the one rule in the game I just don’t understand. Unless we start developing armless defenders I don’t know how you are supposed to block things and be in a natural position. It is what it is mate.

‘You kind of hope these things even themselves out over the course of a year, but I don’t understand the handball rule. I have said that to referees in the past and I don’t know how they see it to be honest.’

Surely it is time for the PGMOL to issue a clear diktat regarding handball. If not, the weekly confusion as to whether the VAR was correct or not to award a penalty-kick for a potential infringement will continue.

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