Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane has claimed that the dynamic in north London has changed in recent years.
Spurs have finished above their local rivals in each of the last five seasons, although they haven't won a trophy in that time, whilst the Gunners have clinched the FA Cup and Community Shield twice each, in 2017 and 2020.
Now, Kane has admitted that Arsenal can boast a better history but also pointed out that the Lillywhites have been above them in the league table in the last few seasons.
“Before I broke into the team, our history wasn’t great against Arsenal,” Kane told Sky Sports. “In terms of playing against them and finishing above them in the Premier League.
“But that’s kind of changed during the last five or six years now. Look, Arsenal are a great side. They have been building over the last few years, I feel.
“And now they are reaching a high level.
"So fully expecting a tough game on the weekend but it's nice to have a real good battle on our hands."
However, Sunday's proposed north London derby ended up being cancelled after Arsenal's request to postpone the game was controversially granted by the Premier League on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta's side have a vast number of absences through injuries, suspensions and Covid-19, as well as four players currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In fact, Albert Sambi Lokonga was the only available senior midfielder for Arteta after Swiss captain Granit Xhaka was sent off during Thursday night's 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
