It was the first time Tottenham have faced Christian Eriksen since his return to the Premier League and the Dane didn't disappoint. The 30-year-old joined Brentford in January, on a short, six month contract and has already made an impact.
Spurs produced another lacklustre performance, in a clash where they needed three points to close the gap between them and Arsenal. However Antonio Conte's side went a second game without a shot on target and now sit two points behind their north London rivals, with five games left.
football.london understands that Tottenham have discussed entering the race to tempt Eriksen as a free agent in the summer and his performance yesterday may have persuaded Fabio Paratici even more, why the midfielder could be perfect for the current Spurs squad. Of course, having Champions League football on offer would make a move more attractive for the Dane, but for someone who is loved by fans, and players and has previously worked with Conte, it seems like the perfect reunion.
READ MORE: Christian Eriksen gives classy Tottenham gesture and makes top four claim after Brentford draw
After the goalless draw at the Brentford Community Stadium, Eriksen explained how he was feeling before the game and what his time at Brentford has been like so far. "I think all the emotional games I've played them already," the Dane admitted.
"Today [Saturday] was more the excitement going into the game. Obviously, it was the first time playing against Spurs since I left, so it would be special. I'm ok with a draw."
"The playing style is a little different, even to when I was at Inter. But I think condition-wise and I think you can see football-wise, I'm definitely up to speed. I feel mentally in a very good place, and also physically in a very good place."
In their post-match press conferences, both managers were full of praise for the 30-year-old. "First of all, I was pleased to see Christian play and to play in this way," Conte explained, when asked about whether Eriksen was a player Spurs could do with having in their side.
"You know very well to speak now about the transfer market about players that are not in my team, I think it's a lack of respect for the team that the player is playing for and also for my players.
"For sure I worked with him two years at Inter Milan and I enjoyed this. I am very happy to see him in this fantastic form because don't forget only eight months ago what happened. Now I am pleased to see Christian play football in this type of level."
Thomas Frank also spoke about his current midfielder, who has scored one goal and registered two assists, in his seven Premier League appearances so far. "I would love to say that I am confident, I am very positive and very hopeful that he will stay but it will be a decision at the end of the season," the Brentford boss admitted.
"I will do what I can but it's down to Christian, where it's like everything if you decide to go to one club or another, you buy that house or another house, you take that job or another job. I hope Christian makes the right choice for him and his family and I really hope it will be us."
In Eriksen's post-match interview, he admitted that he hoped Tottenham would get into the top four and Sky showed some of his statistics during the game, highlighting his impact. The 30-year-old created the most chances (4), made the most passes into the opposition's box (18) and covered the most distance (11.7km).
The Dane had three shots at goal, produced four key passes and produced seven accurate crosses. This creative flair and attacking mindset he has is something that made a great impact at Spurs and has done so at Brentford, so far too.
Another key aspect of Eriksen's game, that Tottenham are in need of improving, is set pieces. The former Inter Milan man produces some quality free-kicks and this is a side of Spurs' game that still needs work.
"I think in general, even before I arrived at Brentford they do a lot of set-pieces and there's a big focus on it. Obviously, we train the set-pieces before every game, so it's something we have trained on but in every game, we train a lot of set-pieces before the game and today in the first half and second half we should have scored one," Eriksen admitted.
"I've felt very free and given the circumstances, the way we play it suits me, it suits my way back into football. I think in general the whole team has lifted since I came until now.
"The coach was there before I arrived, the structure was there, so it was really easy to fit in. Then of course in the games we get options and opportunities because of how we play
"I think the players and the coach are doing an incredible job," he added. As the Dane mentioned, it was clear to see he has been given freedom in his role, as he was floating around the pitch helping to contribute to his side's attack.
There has always been a lot of talk amongst Spurs fans and the fact that the type of player Eriksen was for the Lilywhites, has never been replaced. The talk is now turning to scrapping the idea of finding someone new to fill in the midfielder's role, but instead, get Eriksen back to N17.
Only time will tell what Eriksen decides to do when his contract expires in the summer, but fans will hope it is a move that Daniel Levy and Paratici push for, when the transfer window opens.
