Bukayo Saka and Heung-Min Son starred as Arsenal and Tottenham could not be separated in a pulsating, topsy-turvy North London derby which ended in a 2-2 draw.

A Super Sunday thriller began with Cristian Romero deflecting Saka's shot into his own net as Arsenal controlled the opening exchanges, but Spurs found a way back in with Son's leveller three minutes before half-time after a superb save from David Raya denied Brennan Johnson.

Romero's poor afternoon continued after half-time as his handball - similar to an incident that went unpunished against Man Utd - from Ben White's goal-bound shot allowed Saka to re-establish the Gunners lead from the spot.

Spurs got an equaliser almost straight from the restart as Jorginho, a half-time injury substitute for Declan Rice, dallied on the ball allowing James Maddison to pick his pocket. The midfielder rolled the ball to Son for a simple finish past Raya.

Kai Havertz and Saka went close to an Arsenal winner late on, while substitute Richarlison saw a deflected effort fall just wide in the 10th minute of stoppage time.

The derby draw leaves both sides four points behind Manchester City after six games, doing their early title credentials no favours.

On the other hand Mikel Arteta confirmed Declan Rice suffered a back injury during the North London derby draw with Tottenham as Arsenal's injury problems continue to mount.

Rice's half-time replacement, Jorginho, was at fault for Spurs' equaliser in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

"He had a back injury," Arteta said of Rice. "He was really uncomfortable during the match, we had to take him out.

"We have to assess him. It's strange for someone like him to come off."

Already missing Jurrien Timber to a long-term knee problem, Arsenal are also currently without Thomas Partey and had lost Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli to injuries this week before Rice was forced to withdraw.

"Today, we missed five big players. We gave an opportunity to everyone, we have games every three injuries now," added Arteta.

Arsenal, who are now four points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League table, travel to Brentford in midweek for a Carabao Cup tie before playing at Bournemouth next week. After a Champions League game at Lens, their final match before the international break will be a clash with City at the Emirates.

"We feel like we lost two points," said Arteta. "We conceded two really, really poor goals. But mistakes are part of football, you have to live with it."