A Nacer Chadli strike earned a resilient Tottenham Hotspur a point away at bitter rivals Arsenal.

The Belgian’s strike ten minutes into the second half gave Spurs the lead after sloppy defending from the home side.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain riffled home the equaliser with 15 minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish. But the sides could not be separated and it ended all square.

The game ebbed and flowed but it was not reminiscent of previous blood and thunder derbies.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked far more defensively stable compared to the home defeat to West Brom last Sunday.

The boss brought in Jan Vertonghen from that defeat six days ago and it proved to be the right decision.

It was the home side who fashioned the majority of the first half chances and controlled the possession.

Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey both had early chances yet their efforts were tame and easily saved by Hugo Lloris.

The game came alive at the end of the first with both sides creating clear chances.

Chamberlain forced a good save from Lloris down to his left which allowed Spurs to clear and force an opening themselves with Chadli being played clean through by Etiene Capoue but he scuffed his shot wide.

Arsenal stated the second half in a similar fashion to how they started the first with a dangerous cross by Santi Cazorla deflect wide by Kaboul.

Lloris was called into action against after a fine move from the home side with Mesut Ozil’s shot straight at the lilywhite goalkeeper.

But it was Tottenham who had the lead ten minutes into the second half and it was the home sides undoing.

Mathieu Flamini was caught in possession by Christian Eriksen. Lamela found Chadli who slotted his shot beyond Wojciech Szczesny to send the Spurs end into pandemonium.

The home side almost hit back with a free kick which found the head of Mertersacker but Lloris made another good save.

A rasping Callum Chambers effort tried to restore parity but they did not have to wait long.

With 15 minutes to go Spurs were the masters of their own undoing. A miss-kick from Erik Lamela gave Sanchez the ball and his cross was not cleared by Younes Kaboul leaving Chamberlain to smash home.

The game was all set for the thrilling finale and it was Arsenal who looked more likely to score.

Yet it was to remain all square and for Pochettino’s men, a credible draw and an improvement defensively will certainly please the players and fans alike.