- Arsenal captain Robin van Persie is adamant they'll prove themselves superior to Tottenham in their derby clash.
Van Persie is adamant Arsenal can prove they are still the best team in North London — despite their rivals' huge lead over them.
He said: "What better way to set things straight again than to beat Spurs?
"I'd rather be playing them now than on any other day, and we know that a win is absolutely vital.
"I don't think anybody would deny that Spurs have a really good side — and they've added consistency this season.
"They're winning the tougher games and, as a result, have made that next step towards the top teams.
"Spurs have invested a lot of money over the past few years, and when you look at the figures it's reflected in their league position.
"Quality players like Rafa van der Vaart, Manu Adebayor, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Aaron Lennonwill win you games when the going gets difficult — any one of them can step up and make the difference at a given time."
- Robin van Persie admits Arsenal must beat Tottenham to keep their top four hopes alive.
With 13 games to go, Arsenal skipper Van Persie admits time is running out for his side to prevent Tottenham finishing above them for the first time since 1995.
The Dutch striker said: "A draw will not be a good result for us, either in our bid to catch up with Spurs or in our efforts to fight off our other challengers for a Champions League place.
"They're above us for the first time in many years but it's in our hands to change the way things are going, win the game and start moving closer to them."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger doesn't want his players complaining about their bad press.
Wenger maintains it would be "criminal" for Arsenal to just sit and feel sorry for themselves ahead of Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.
"No matter what we say at the moment it will be printed in a negative way. It is up to us to transform that into a positive way," the Arsenal boss said.
"You can't complain. We are in a fantastic job and we have a big game in front of us - to feel sorry for ourselves would be criminal.
"We have a good opportunity to show that we have character, that we have the mental qualities to play for this club and let's go for it.
"When you are in our situation at the moment, it is important you show faith in your players and stick with them.
"We live in a world where everybody is positive when it goes well, but life is not only ups, it is ups and down, successful lives are how people respond when you are down."
- Andrey Arshavin left a short note on his website after leaving Arsenal for Zenit St Petersburg.
The Russian champions have been after the 30-year-old forward for the past 12 months and are believed to have offered a £1million loan fee.
They will also stump up the Russia international's wages.
Arshavin, who cost the Gunners a club record £15m from Zenit in 2009, had fallen out of favour with boss Arsene Wenger.
The player told his official website: "I have moved to Zenit. On loan, will play under No 29."
- Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna feels this weekend’s North London derby clash with Tottenham holds extra significance for him.
The French full-back suffered a fractured fibula in the White Hart Lane fixture which the Gunners lost 2-1 in early October and has only recently returned to the line-up.
When Arsenal host Spurs at the Emirates on Sunday, Sagna says it will be an extra special moment for him with bouncing back from the absence firmly in his thoughts.
“The first game was a nightmare for me because I got injured and was four months out,” he said.
“This match is a good opportunity to show that I am back and to be decisive even. I would like to win the game because it would be special to me.
“Every game is important but the derby is the killer one. This is one of the biggest games of the season and we know we have to win it. It will give us even more power to move forward.
“We play Tottenham, they are the enemy this weekend and we lost the first game and we want to bounce back from it. For the fans it is even more important because it is a derby and we can't lose.”
- Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs is hoping he and his teammates can produce a morale-boosting victory this weekend.
The Gunners host third-placed Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday and Gibbs feels a winning result would be the perfect tonic to get back in the good books of the clubs supporters following two disappoint losses which sees their Champions League campaign hanging by a thread and ended their FA Cup run.
"It's more than just another fixture, it has something special and we can use it to put things behind us," he said.
"We owe the supporters a lot - we have to hold our hands up about what's happened in the last week or two, we know that we didn't do what was required of us and everybody has been feeling very apologetic towards the club and the fans.
"But this is the game in which we can overcome it, and there's so much to lift ourselves for. We're still in the top four in the Premier League and I'm sure we can stay there.
"Spurs have improved a lot, though, and you have to give them credit. Any team that's in their position at this stage of the season has clearly done well, so we're in for a real battle. All I can say is that we'll be ready."
- Bacary Sagna has called on Eden Hazard to make the move to Arsenal, with the Gunners defender claiming it would be an "error" if he joined Tottenham.
Belgium international Hazard has been making positive noises about heading to the Premier League in the summer, with his comments putting the likes of Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United on alert.
The Lille winger would add a dynamic option to the Arsenal squad and Sagna is clearly eager for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to win the race for Hazard's signature.
On the eve of the North London derby, Sagna said of a possible move for Hazard to Spurs: "I think it would be an error for him.
"I watch the French League and Hazard is an excellent player. It would be a major signing for Arsenal, but it's up to different people to decide his destination.
"He needs to reflect and make the choice of club for the style of football.
"Hazard has the perfect profile for the Premier League because he has swiftness, is a very good dribbler and is able to find spaces for team-mates. He is a player who can change the rhythm and provoke problems in defence."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is determined to prise Stephane Sessegnon away from Sunderland.
Sessegnon, 27, has impressed boss Martin O’Neill, who has described him as 'essential' to his plans at the Stadium of Light .
The Benin ace has scored nine goals in nearly 40 games for the Black Cats since a £6million switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
His arrival could prompt the sale of underachieving England winger Theo Walcott, 22.
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