Arsenal legend Ian Wright has joked the Gunners will start their North London Derby clash with Tottenham already being 1-0 down.
Mikel Arteta's men travel to Spurs on Sunday evening, with a win taking them eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. But they have a wretched record at Tottenham's new stadium, with their nightmare at that ground in May still fresh in their memories.
Added to their history at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the form of Harry Kane, who has scored 15 goals in 18 Premier League games this season. The Englishman has a stellar record against the Gunners, notching 14 goals in 16 top-flight games against them.
Only Everton and Leicester City have seen Kane score more goals against them than Arsenal. And his record has left Wright feeling nervous ahead of Sunday's huge derby day clash.
"I’m nervous. For me, this is a game Arsenal need to win. In a season where Arsenal are striving to win the title, I believe they need to win this game. And it’s against our biggest rivals," he told the Wrighty's House podcast.
"We’re already going into the game 1-0 down because Harry Kane always scores against us. All I want is for us to start well and to put that Tottenham defence under pressure, to put everyone past that front four under pressure.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What is your score prediction for the North London Derby on Sunday? Comment below.
"Because if Spurs’ front four starts to click, they are going to cause Arsenal problems. I’m very nervous, simply because I know we have to win.
"When you’re going into a title challenge and you’re up there, there’s certain games you can’t lose and I think this is one of them. But overall, it’s a game I do believe we are going to win."
While Wright is feeling nervous, Gunners boss Arteta is relishing the trip to Tottenham. The Spaniard warned his side the game will be one of the biggest of their season as they have the chance to pull away from their title rivals.
"I just love it - that’s the reason why we’re here, to play these kinds of games. It’s one of the biggest games of the season for us. We know how much it means for us right now and how much it means to our people as well," he said.
"We have to focus on playing well and doing what we have to do to win the game. Sometimes they approach games in different ways. Sometimes they are very aggressive from the beginning.
"Sometimes they allow you to make the game and they have a lot of tools to use to cause you problems. Let’s see how the game develops. We’ll prepare for any occasion in the best possible way and then it will be left to the players to do what they have to do on the pitch.
"I think the players are in a really good emotional state. We are excited, we are enjoying playing together and we are in a good position. So we have to improve a lot of the things we still have to do, and we have to maintain the things that have taken us this far."
