'There are a lot of points to play for'

Carl Jenkinson will seek solace in last season's Premier League run-in after a north London derby he feels Arsenal were unlucky to lose.

The right back put in a solid display at White Hart Lane but, after controlling much of the first half, Arsenal conceded two goals in quick succession to Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon before the break.

Per Mertesacker's second-half header gave Arsene Wenger's side a foothold in the match but they could not find an equaliser and now find themselves seven points adrift of Tottenham - and five behind Chelsea - in the race for a top-four finish.

"I'm distraught, to be honest," Jenkinson told Arsenal Player. "I don't feel like we deserved to lose. We had chances and have the team and the ability to come here and win. It just didn't happen.

"I think we had a good share of the game. There were times where we really had them on the back foot and they didn't look threatening at all. I think we used the flanks well. We were getting wide and getting crosses in. It just wasn't meant to be.

"I know the importance [of the derby]. In the history, we've always tended to come out on top and today it wasn't our day. We beat them at home and they beat us at their place. But it's really disappointing that we haven't at least picked up a point."

Arsenal have a two-week gap between the derby and their next Premier League fixture at Swansea City. By that time Tottenham and Chelsea could have widened the gap to fifth place, but Jenkinson remembers Arsenal overturning a 10-point deficit to finish third last season.

"There are 10 games left and there are plenty of points to play for," he said. "I think in a couple of days time, we'll get our head around this and realise that we've bridged a gap like that before and can do it again.

"We will be positive and we will come back from this. Tottenham are our rivals but we'll get over it, we'll be positive. We've just got to work our socks off because we need to be in that top four at the bare minimum."