Why this North London derby is bigger for Arsenal than Tottenham, according to Paul Merson
Unai Emery's side have to keep within touching distance of their north London rivals to show their progression under the new boss
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ARSENAL and Tottenham is a rivalry that goes back over 100 years, but this weekend's North London derby has more riding on it for Unai Emery's side.
Just three points separate the sides, with Tottenham sat in third and Arsenal just outside the top four, but a win for the Gunners could turn it on its head.
Ahead of the first North London derby of the season, former Arsenal player Paul Merson believes there's more pressure on Arsenal than on Poch's men.
Over the past decade, Spurs may have won the derby nine times to Arsenal's eight, across all competitions,but the Gunners have been considered a bigger club.
Arsenal have competed in the Champions League nine times, since 2008, compared to Tottenham's three and will be gunning for a win this weekend to ensure they have a better chance of returning to the competition next season.
Speaking On Sky Sports' , the Arsenal legend said: "This game this weekend is a bigger game for Arsenal than Tottenham, that is how it has swung really.
"The pressure is on Arsenal to perform and win the game - if Arsenal do not win this game, you are going to go away from here saying, 'Tottenham are just getting away from Arsenal'."
Tottenham's 3-1 thrashing of Chelsea ended their undefeated start under Maurizio Sarri, but if they play in a similar fashion at the Emirates they could well dish out a third loss of the season to Emery's men.
Merson said: "If Tottenham play like they did last weekend against Chelsea, they cannot lose. But, that has only been once this season and they have not been great, despite having their best start.
"But they have not played anything like they did the season before."
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Tottenham's mid-week victory over Inter Milan is likely to give them a boost and with six consecutive wins under their belt, they will be looking to make it a seventh against their fierce city rivals.
But, Emery is likely to field his strongest squad as he knows the importance of a win.
The club's progress under their new Spanish manager has seen them achieve an 18-game unbeaten run and bag 28 goals.
And their front-line is one of the most thrilling in the league.
But it is no secret that their defence has let them down and as a result they can only boast of two clean sheets this season, having conceded 16 goals in the Premier League.
Sunday's clash gives Arsenal a chance to demonstrate their progress under Emery, as they have lost two out of three of their last meetings with Spurs.
Tim Sherwood added:"It gives everyone belief that they can possibly get into the top four.
"They are going to get nearer towards Tottenham and if they can keep their eye on Tottenham and finish above them, then they will finish in the top four.
"So this game will be a good measure of how far they have come - they played some big teams earlier in the season and fell short.
"The Liverpool performance was good at the Emirates and they will need that sort of performance again and Tottenham not to be on song.
"Tottenham have the best players, I believe, but the best players do not always win the game. Sometimes the best team do on the day and I think they will need everything to fall their way on the weekend to get a result."
