Kevin Wimmer expressed his joy at being back in the Tottenham team after he started against Arsenal, despite scoring an own goal.

The North London derby eventually finished 1-1 as a Harry Kane penalty brought the teams level.

Wimmer delighted at start

The defender was handed his first Premier League start of the season after Mauricio Pochettino decided to play three at the back. With the absence of Toby Alderweireld the Austrian got the nod alongside regular starters Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen

Prior to the start Wimmer had only featured in EFL Cup clashes against Gillingham and Liverpool and was struggling to make the Tottenham bench, as American youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers was favoured. 

Happy to be back 

Speaking to the club website after the game Wimmer commented that “it’s always a good feeling to be in the starting XI” and that the fact it was for a derby game made it more special.

The defender expressed his disappointment at scoring an own goal but explained that “I always try to give my best” but scoring an own goal is always a “bad feeling”. The Austrian went to on to add that “obviously at first you are disappointed but once the game gets started again you just want to turn it around”. 

Kevin Wimmer scores an own goal for Arsenals first during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. | Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Kevin Wimmer scores an own goal for Arsenals first during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. | Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images

We can improve

Wimmer commented that even though the team are on an unbeaten run and are picking up points there is still room for improvement. The defender said that the game was a “typical derby” with “lots of intensity” and that the whole team “tried to get the three points.”

Wimmer added that the international break now allows the players to “have some time until the next game” to reflect and “turn the next corner”. He concluded that everyone believes “we’re moving in the right direction” and “can continue to improve”.