Five days after the elation of Mesut Ozil's delicious late winner in Bulgaria and Arsene Wenger was left to bemoan weariness and fading creativity.
Arsenal skipped into the derby with the swagger, energised by good form and fit-again players returning having been spared the trip to face Ludogorets in the Champions League.
Tottenham trudged down the Seven Sisters Road carrying an injury pile-up and the threat of an early exit from Europe, with goals in short supply, and still managed to annoy the neighbours.
Not since March 2014 have Arsenal taken three points from Spurs but this result left an impression because they failed to keep in step with leaders Liverpool.