Eric Dier believes Tottenham's 1-1 north London derby draw at Arsenal has made a mockery of suggestions that their season is in decline.

Spurs were heavily criticised following the 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last week and have struggled generally since beating Manchester City at the start of October.

Pochettino changed to three at the back at Emirates Stadium for the first time this season and was rewarded with a much better performance as Harry Kane's 51st-minute penalty cancelled out Kevin Wimmer's own goal in the first half.

Dier feels some of the negativity around the club recently has gone too far and felt the new system has helped give them all a timely boost.

He said: "Sometimes it is nice to freshen it up, do something different and new. We enjoyed it and I think it went well.

"In the week people were talking about Tottenham being in crisis, but we haven't lost yet in the Premier League.

"Obviously the Champions League was disappointing, but I think it is funny when you're unbeaten in the league and it is a crisis.

"The manager thought it was best to play this formation at Arsenal. It was a risk that shows our character and our attitude, that we are not afraid to do anything and try anything. We did that and I think it paid off.

"He [Pochettino] told us we were going to play with three at the back on Saturday. We worked on it in training and then we came to Arsenal and played it. It was probably a good thing because we didn't think too much about it and we got on with it."

Pochettino was furious at the manner of their defeat to Leverkusen and admitted in his press conference afterwards that he was 'embarrassed' by their display.

But when asked if Pochettino had some tough words for his players behind the scenes to inspire an improvement, Dier added: "No, the manager did not need to say anything to us.

"As players we understand and know that on Wednesday we were nowhere near good enough.

"Everyone knows that but when you play Arsenal away four days later, it isn't nice but you have to move on from it, forget about it and go again.

"There is not time to sulk or cry over it, we know we weren't good enough and it is very disappointing.

"We worked so hard last year to be in the Champions League and our performances haven't been good enough.

"We are all disappointed about that, but this is football and there is no point dwelling on the past. We have just got look forward now."