Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has today gone back on his claims that talisman, Alexis Sanchez, will be out for Arsenal’s North London Derby and has instead stated that the Chilean is keen to play this weekend.

Sanchez has been out for the last week with a hamstring injury and was believed to be still out for the Tottenham game; however Wenger has today noted that the forward is eager to play the game at the weekend. In a press conference today, he revealed:

This Saturday Arsenal make the short trip to White Hart Lane to play the North London Derby. This is the second time the sides have met this season, with the first fixture finishing 1-1.

That day the game followed the frustrating all too familiar narrative of Arsenal having a lot of possession without creating much with it. It took a late Oxlade-Chamberlain goal to rescue a point after an awful Flamini mistake had given Spurs hope of snatching an undeserved win through Nacer Chadli.

First half injuries that day also proved to be costly, with both Ramsey and Arteta going off injured in the first half, perhaps having an input in a disjointed display in a game Arsenal really should have won, with the side struggling for form in the early part of the season.

Alexis Sanchez picked up a hamstring injury following his cameo role in the 3-2 victory over Brighton and was eventually unavailable for selection for the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

Though his absence was hardly felt at Emirates Stadium last week, Arsenal supporters wanted their top scorer to spearhead the attack at White Hart Lane. However, Arsene Wenger told in a press conference that Arsenal could be forced to play without the Chilean given his injury setback.

In the wake of a 5-0 thumping of Aston Villa, Arsenal now pay a visit to White Hart Lane with a view of registering their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions and Per Mertesacker wants the Gunners to repeat what they did last season at the very stadium.

"We have a very important away game. We are very close to each other in the league, are two London rivals. We did quite well at White Hart Lane last season, so will try to repeat that.”

Ever since Coquelin started for the Gunners away at West Ham United, he has been winning the hearts of the fans with his picture-perfect displays.

The defensive midfielder came through the club’s youth system and having spent seven seasons with the North London outfit, he seems to know that there is no compromise over anything less than a victory over their local rivals.