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By Yann Tear

Poch: I think we were the better team


Mauricio Pochettino Photo by Paul Lagan

Mauricio Pochettinio said it was a tough game after his side drew 1-1 at Wembley against Arsenal in the north London derby: "I think if you assess the game I think we were better than Arsenal in all the aspects," he said. "I think it was a fantastic game, such an exciting game, great atmosphere with two teams who wanted to play and win the game. It's always tough to play against Arsenal. "It was tough because to concede after 15 minutes was tough for us. But of course I am so happy with the character, the personality and the way that in the end we played. Our performance wasn't great , but it was very good to draw, maybe we deserved to win. "After two defeats, it was important today to build again our positive ways. We have a very difficult game on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund and arriving in a better condition than we arrived today is going to be key." For the penalty conceded late on by Davinson Sanchez, the Spurs boss said: "But you know in the end it was a penalty. Sometimes we focus on a few actions. But I think that the action that changed the game was after 12 minutes. The action from Xhaka to Harry Kane that wasn't even a foul. "That was the action that afterwards changed everything in the dynamic of the game. This season we are so unlucky, decisions that affect in a negative way to us. "Like Manchester United, (Paul) Pogba should be sent off, Harry Kane got an injury when it was a clear foul on the edge of the box but no foul" Next season, VAR will be in operation, will that be a help to his side? He's not to sure. "Yes, of course," he said. "Although from the beginning I wasn't too clear in the way that they are using it in different leagues. It's a massive experience for us to watch. "I am following different leagues like France or Spain and the problems are happening the same. Nothing's changed too much. "Some situations that are so difficult for the referee to handle or manage we cannot believe that it's going to the key, that football is going to be fair. Football never was fair and it never will be. "The way that we are going to use the VAR is going to be key. I think with all the experience in the World Cup and the different leagues this season, it's such important work to do now for the future to be sure that it's going to be a massive help for the decisions of the referee." Goalkeeper Hugo lloris had a nightmare in the defeat to Chelsea in midweek, did his last-gasp penalty save make up for it" Poch said: "The whole team, not only Hugo had a bad night. As you say, you put the finger on Hugo as responsible for the defeat. was not him, I cannot blame him. Hugo is one of the best in the world, he does not need to show that. But the finger always points at the big players, like Hugo or if Harry misses big chances. We don't win like in the last two games 'Harry is the problem' or I don't know. They are such big players."

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