Arsenal in the driving seat for European place

TOTTENHAM look as if they will be holidaying abroad later this year rather"than competing there after a goalless draw left their north London rivals in the driving seat for a place in Europe.

Spurs really needed to win, but their only consolation was that Darren Anderton came on for 13 minutes at the end, his first senior football in seven months.

What would have been a limited interest local derby was given extra spice by the fact that both teams were chasing the UEFA Cup place on offer for finishing fifth in the Premiership.

With the teams above them already catered for in Europe next season, a mini race involving three or four sides has developed beneath the tussle for the title. For either of these two teams to win it would be a fitting reward for both managers' efforts this season. Bruce Rioch may have discovered that the overhaul of Arsenal requires something more drastic than just bolting on Bergkamp and Platt, but he deserves credit for the way he has tackled the tough task of following George Graham.

For Gerry Francis, life at Tottenham has been a matter of bringing organisation to a team with a cavalier tradition in an attempt to turn eternal promise into trophies.

He has had his problems along the way (the InterToto fiasco and the resulting ban from Europe, later rescinded, and the loss through injury for much of the season of Anderton, arguably his best player). It was a relief as much for the watching England coach Terry Venables as anybody, to see the player on the bench and Anderton entered the fray 13 minutes from time, his first senior action since September.

Venables will be happy, too, to hear that Tony Adams, out injured since January, plans a comeback in the Arsenal reserves this Saturday. Though during his absence, and that of his central defensive partner Bould for a similar period, Arsenal have done well, winning six of 11 league games and losing only three.

Arsenal now employ a sweeper system and it was from this solid base that they dominated the first half, giving the Spurs captain Mabbuff an exhaustive test on his return from injury. But for all their chances before the break.

Arsenal could not score.

Bergkamp and Merson shot over and, when Wright was put through by the Dutchman only to be brought down by Edinburgh 25 yards out, Bergkamp even directed the free kick too high.

Two of Arsenal's best early chances came from breaks, Parlour down the right, - then Bergkamp down the left, both finding Merson inside the area only for the forward to deposit, each one - yes, over the bar.

Despite their 44 goal striking partnership of Sheringham and Armstrong, Spurs did not create a clear chance until the 32nd minute, when the latter curled an 18 yard shot just outside Seaman's far post.

The half time break was bordered by two errors, either of which could have led to the breaking of the deadlock. First, Fox tried an audacious back heel in his own area - not the place to try such things - and let in Winterburn who shot wide. Then a mix up between Keown and, Parlour freed Howells, whose run into the area finished with a pass to Sheringham who also shot wide.

As the second half wore on, Tottenham slowly came back into the game, applying more sustained pressure on the Arsenal defence than they had experienced all evening.

Their best chance came on 66 minutes when Sheringham fed Armstrong in the area. But the striker stopped, along with Arsenal defenders, waiting for the offside flag. When none appeared Armstrong then shot wide.