Wenger insists Arsenal are still the top dogs

really important to us at this moment, which is to finish in the top four.”

The day that Spurs can mathematically no longer finish above Arsenal has become known as ‘St Totteringham’s Day’ among Arsenal supporters but Spurs look set to finally end that run as they seek a ninth successive League win.

Spurs are four points behind leaders Chelsea and with Arsenal 14 points behind in sixth, Wenger admitted Tottenham will start the game as the more likely winners.

“It is certainly one of the few times where, if you look at people’s opinions, Spurs are favourites,” said the Frenchman, whose side scrambled past Leicester on Wednesday night courtesy of an 86thminute own goal.

“I think we have shown persistence, tenacity and desire to win and keep going at any cost. You could see what it means to the squad when we scored against Leicester. These qualities will of course be very important.

“We know it means a lot not only to our fans but to us as well. We play for our future and we play to continue our run. We have clarity — we know what is needed from us until the end of the season. On that front, it’s quite simple to prepare. We will not sit back, we’ll try to go forward and win the game, because that’s what is wanted.”

Laurent Koscielny is described as “60-40” to start the game as he bids to recover from a knee injury sustained towards the end of the game against Leicester while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is fit enough to play after only making the bench in midweek.

Wenger will contest his 50th north London derby — having won on 22 occasions and lost just seven — against a Spurs side featuring Dele Alli, who a number of managers have admitted regret at missing out on signing prior to Tottenham’s £5million swoop in February 2015.

The 67-year-old said: “We watched him many, many times because we watched Milton Keynes a lot.

“You have to say that he has done extremely well. They deserve credit for that.”