Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk put the Blues 2-0 up against Arsenal and it was a lead we held heading into the final quarter-hour. However, the Gunners hit back with two quickfire goals to leave the Bridge with a point that scarcely looked likely for most of an entertaining London derby.

‘Of course we are disappointed at the end, but we can’t only look at the last few minutes,’ reflected Pochettino afterwards.

‘There were many positive things. We were the better team. We lost two points in a way you never want to lose them, but after playing a team that was fighting for the Premier League last season we can take many positives and be proud.

‘We showed great character and personality. We were competitive, we deserved more, and we need to keep believing because good things will arrive. I like the way the players are feeling now. They are really upset. I want to see that. But we need to keep working. We are in a good way.’

The excellent Conor Gallagher supplemented the attack at times with Nicolas Jackson on the bench and Armando Broja unavailable…

‘We needed to change the shape and the strategy to attack. We tried to have superiority in the middle with Palmer and Conor Gallagher stopping the centre-backs having a reference and getting them into the midfield zone. And then using Sterling and Mudryk for the one-v-ones.

‘I am so happy with the performances of Palmer and Gallagher.’

Pochettino was asked about Robert Sanchez after his misplaced pass led to Arsenal’s first…

‘We are so happy with him. Of course he is disappointed and upset with his decision but mistakes happen in football.

‘This goal gave the belief to Arsenal. We can maybe read better the situation, the tempo, the timing. We can take risks on 77 minutes because it’s our philosophy, but maybe there is another decision you can take.

‘It’s not to blame someone. It can happen. It will arrive with time, when to be calm and when to take risks, and we are still a really young team getting to know each other.’

Marc Cucurella impressed again…

‘It was so clear when we arrived here three months ago some players were maybe staying or maybe going.

‘Marc and the club decided to stay at the end of the transfer window. He is training really well, he played really well against a very good player like Saka. He deserves the credit. He is working really hard, he was able to play on the right side, and because of this the team is only going to be better.’

Pochettino also commented on the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton…

‘I am really sad. I want to send my best wishes to the family. It made a big impact when we received the news. We lose an amazing person, one of the greatest players in the world, and we are going to miss him because he was an icon in our sport.’