Petr Cech ‘angry’ after north London derby defeat

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech felt “angry and disappointed” after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham left their hopes of Champions League qualification hanging by a thread.

Victory also moved Spurs 17 points ahead of their north London rivals in the table and ensured they would finish above them for the first time since 1995.

Dele Alli’s close-range finish and a Harry Kane penalty sealed the win, which could have been more emphatic had Alli and Christian Eriksen converted chances in the first half.

The result leaves Tottenham four points behind Chelsea at the top, while Arsene Wenger’s side remain sixth, five points behind Manchester United and six back on fourth-placed Manchester City.

They play United at home next weekend.

“I feel angry and disappointed because obviously this is not a game we wanted to lose and this is a very big disappointment for us,” Cech told Arsenal’s official club website.

“It hurts because it was a huge game for both teams. They needed to win to keep their title chances alive. We needed to win to keep our Champions League finishing position [hopes] alive.

“Obviously we are very disappointed because it’s a north London derby, it means a lot to the fans and it meant a lot to the club, to us. We needed three points and in the end we have none.”

Tottenham confirmed last week they would move to Wembley next season while their new stadium is completed meaning this was the final north London derby at White Hart Lane.

It made victory all the sweeter for Spurs fans, who have waited 22 years to end a league season above their neighbours.

Cech insists finishing below Tottenham, however, is not chief among the squad’s disappointments.

“Our target is to play for titles, so we are disappointed with our season because we aren’t playing for a (league) title,” Cech said.

“We have five games to play and we are out of the title race. It was not the objective (to finish below Tottenham), so we are disappointed with that.

“But Tottenham finishing above us or doing better is one thing, but I think the most important thing for the club, for the players, for everybody is to reach your own targets, not to worry about what the others are doing.”