Paul Merson felt sorry for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks in North London derby

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Paul Merson has explained that he felt sorry for Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks in the North London derby draw against Arsenal at the weekend.

Spurs drew 2-2 away at the Emirates Stadium against their bitter rivals, but let a two-goal lead slip in the Premier League fixture.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have gone into the international break with five points from their opening four league games and there is definitely room for improvement.

It was an all-action North London derby with plenty of attacking play and either team could have snatched a win late on.

Sky Sports pundit Merson feels that Winks was left exposed in the centre of the park and that he should not receive any criticism for his performance.

“I felt sorry for Winks [in the North London derby]. I heard it on the radio today he was getting a lot of stick and I thought it wasn’t really his fault, he was just getting overrun in midfield and there wasn’t a lot in there,” Sky Sports’ Premier League channel (10:05pm, 2 September).

“He’s got to do everything and obviously he was getting overrun and I think unfairly got a bit of stick for it.”

TBR’s View:

With Arsenal playing three central midfielders at the weekend, it did leave Winks and Moussa Sissoko slightly outnumbered.

Winks battled away hard with his immense work-rate and his pressing, but ultimately it was such an expansive game with both teams attacking.

The England international can help dictate play against lesser opponents with his composure in possession, but can also do the ugly side of the game with his tackling and tireless energy.

He’s a 23-year-old that has become a key player under Pochettino and an ideal midfield trio is perhaps him alongside both Sissoko, plus currently injured star Tanguy Ndombele.