Arsene Wenger: 'Beating Tottenham Hotspur would be huge for Arsenal's season'

Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger has admitted that Saturday's North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur has taken on greater importance given the league positions of the two clubs.

"There is always huge passion before the game and the emotion at stake that becomes a bit more agitated," the Gunners boss told reporters: "I worked with Pat Rice when I first arrived so he got me very quickly on that territory. It is always a game that is charged emotionally. "This season, if you look at the table, is a very important game. For us, it is an opportunity to come back closer to the Champions League places, which is a priority."