Olivier Giroud 'very angry' about wasteful finishing as Arsenal draw with Tottenham to miss chance to move top of Premier League

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Olivier Giroud was left ‘very angry’ after his misses prevented Arsenal edging clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race on Sunday.

The French striker was guilty of spurning three big opportunities during the 1-1 draw against north London rivals Tottenham. Substitute Kieran Gibbs scored a late equaliser following Harry Kane’s 32nd-minute opener at the Emirates.

Manager Arsene Wenger revealed Giroud’s anger and admitted his own ruefulness that Arsenal are not sat two points clear at the summit.

Olivier Giroud rues a missed opportunity at the Emirates as Arsenal were made to sweat for a point on Sunday

The France striker sees a close range header sail narrowly wide of the target in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham

‘When you are 1-0 down, it's a mixture of relief and regret,’ Wenger said. ‘If we were really clinical we would have won it. Giroud had the chances to score. He is very angry.’

The manager was ‘pleased’ with eight-goal Giroud’s dressing-room reaction and believes Arsenal are showing the steel required to clinch a first title since 2004.

‘When you see a player who is happy to miss chances, you can worry,’ he added. ‘He is a real goalscorer and I think he did fight. At Bayern and tonight, Giroud did work extremely hard.

‘He wanted too much to score, especially the opportunity he had in the six-yard box but it can happen. I accept that.

Spurs striker Harry Kane gave the visitors the lead in the first half with sixth goal in four games on Sunday

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger protests to the referee after seeing a decision go against his depleted side 

‘We have shown the character again. We were on the ropes but responded. Every time you have a disappointment I think we respond well. The results show you the championship will be difficult for everybody. Mental qualities can have a big influence in the future, and we need this.’

Wenger rejected that this was a missed opportunity given City’s draw at Villa: ‘If we look over a longer distance, in the last six games, we've played five wins and one draw. I am disappointed that we didn't win but if you look at the recent period as a block, it can happen that you drop points.’

Mauricio Pochettino was upset not to have won the game after two super Petr Cech saves kept an impressive Tottenham from adding a second when leading.

‘My feeling is not fair,’ the Argentine said. ‘It’s true we conceded some chances but my feeling is we deserved to win the game. I am very proud of my players and the character we showed, the level we played the game. In six days we played three games. It’s always difficult.’

Wenger hopes to have Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back from injury after the international break but remains worried more stars will come back bruised.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino salutes the travelling supporters after having to settle for a point

Arsenal finally managed to find a route to goal via an unlikely source with Kieran Gibbs finding the target

‘We had 10 players out. People like [Alexis] Sanchez have played so many games then go out and play two games again,’ he said, before admitting the club are powerless to stop Laurent Koscielny linking-up with France. The defender has only just recovered from a hip injury.

Santi Cazorla was hauled off at half-time after appearing ‘dizzy’ and Wenger was at a loss why: ‘We suffered in the first half as Cazorla was at 30 per cent of his potential. He was dizzy and so many times I was sitting there, not knowing whether to take him off or not. He is not sick. Cazorla is usually the guide in our game and he didn't get the ball.’