Paul Merson sends the Sky Sports studio into silence as he finishes Michael Dawson with an awkward joke after the North London derby.

Paul Merson's joke about Tottenham's comeback in their derby day defeat to Arsenal was of no use. quite land the way he intended.

Spurs suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to their fierce rivals on Sunday afternoon, scoring two late goals after originally trailing 3-0 at half-time.

The Gunners held on in the end when they saw late pressure from the hosts.

But even though the Spurs couldn't break Arsenal down for most of the game and being mocked by Bukayo Saka and Declan RiceSpurs legend Michael Dawson was pleased with the efforts of Ange Postecoglou's team in the second half.

“In the end, Arsenal hold on and are nervous,” he said live from the Sky Sports studio. “They're going for a title!

“The nerves set in. Obviously, Merse and Arsenal and all those fans will go home happy.”

But it was former Arsenal star Merson's response that left the studio in a rather awkward silence.

He joked: “That reaction will stand them in good stead for next year, though Tottenham, isn't it now?”

No one outside of Dawson, Roy Keane, Mica Richards or host David Jones responded for a second or two.

Well, apart from Richards smiling a little.

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Merson looked at his Spurs counterpart and shrugged in what appeared to be disbelief that his fellow pundit, who eventually cracked a faint smile, did not respond.

Jones then smiled and laughed, “Well, maybe we can see the bigger picture in a while.”

Following Sunday's result, Arsenal are now three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Goals by Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertzas well as an own goal from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, ensured the Gunners maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League table over their title rivals. city ​​of manchester.

Manchester City, second placed and currently having two games less, faces Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in Sunday's late kick-off.