Arsenal vs Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino's enduring cycle of success continues unabated in Carabao Cup

Even in Pochettino’s fifth year, even with the players of last season, they have not stopped their forward momentum. They have just found more energy within themselves again

How long does a cycle last? This is Mauricio Pochettino’s fifth season at Tottenham and the more he is asked about leaving, the more people will wonder how much more he can do here. As if he has wrung everything out of this club and can do no more.

But to watch Tottenham at the moment, beating Arsenal 2-0 here tonight, scoring two brilliant counter-attacking goals, standing up to their biggest rivals, avoiding the mistakes of two weeks ago, was to watch a team that despite everything is still finding new resources within itself. Just like they did getting that draw in Barcelona, taking Chelsea apart at Wembley. Fresh improvements from last year's players, even when many thought it unlikely.

This is the great achievement of Pochettino this season: getting more than ever before from a squad that looked like it had nothing left to give. Everyone knew back in the summer that Spurs needed to strengthen, that they needed new players to freshen up the rest of the squad. At the end of last season, Pochettino even said that he was going to speak with Daniel Levy to “create the new project” and that this was the time to “be brave and take risks” to make the more team more competitive this season.

But those words came to nothing as Spurs did not sign a single player this summer. No refreshing ever happened. And players that they hoped to get rid of, to provide the space and the money for new ones, are resolutely still at the club.

Under other managers this could have been a season of stasis and stagnation. Where everything has just become too over-familiar, too comfortable. A party that has gone on too long. Because it has always been a truism in football that as soon as you stop upgrading, you stop improving, and that means you start going backwards.

This year Tottenham are demolishing that cliche into bits. Because even though Spurs are left with the same old players from last season, they are still improving, hitting a higher level more consistently than they did last year.

That is why they made it out of their Champions League group even when things looked lost, rescuing themselves with a 1-1 draw in the Nou Camp that was their finest European away performance under Pochettino. It is why they are still holding their own in the Premier League against sides who made plenty of signings this summer, solid in third place, five points behind Manchester City.

And it is why they are back in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, for the first time since Pochettino’s first season, after a 2-0 win at the Emirates that must be one of their most rewarding all year. It was only 17 days ago that Spurs were over-powered here and lost 4-2 but tonight they came back with more energy, more hunger and more ambition. They did not even need to bring on Harry Kane until the hour-mark.

While Dele Alli was the star of the show for Spurs, one incisive assist, one brilliant finish, this was a win that belonged to the whole team. Especially to players who might have not always been in Pochettino’s initial plans for the 2018-19 season, but who have knuckled down and got better and better as this season has gone on. The players, ultimately, whose commitment and competitiveness have kept staleness at bay.

Son put Spurs in front after 20 minutes (Action Images via Reuters)

Like Danny Rose. Spurs saw him as a potential cash cow over the summer but they could not find a buyer and even a proposed loan to Schalke never happened. But he has got himself fit again, recovering from a groin injury, and has started to provide width and edge down the left that Spurs have lacked. This was his third start in a row, the first time he has done this since January 2017, since the knee injury that hit him when he was at his absolute peak. He was tireless all evening, hinting he might be able to recover his 2016 form again.

Or Toby Alderweireld, who was also expected to leave this summer, but never did. His position was unclear, especially given how he was sidelined last season, but he has almost recovered his old prominent role now. Injuries to Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen have made him as important as ever, and he anchored the defence again here, holding off Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, helping Spurs to a crucial clean sheet.

Or Paolo Gazzaniga, preferred to Hugo Lloris as a reward for his League Cup performances against West Ham and Watford so far this season. He impressed again, setting up both Spurs goals with precise long kicks, one to Lucas Moura, the other to Harry Kane. He saved from Henrikh Mkhitaryan at 0-0 and Aaron Ramsey at 1-0. It would have been a very different game without him.

Or Moussa Sissoko, another man on the transfer list this summer, but who is now one of Spurs’ most important players. In this system he gives them a physical presence in midfield and speed in transition. He won some crucial tackles on his Arsenal counterparts when they were about to break through, and put them under pressure on the break himself. Even if his one shot from a good position nearly flew out of the stadium and onto the Holloway Road.

This was a team effort, a team win, built on the efforts of players who are as determined as ever to keep working and competing. That is how even in Pochettino’s fifth year, even with the players of last season, they have not stopped their forward momentum. They have just found more energy within themselves again.