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.

“It’s a massive game for the club and the fans. I think everyone is looking forward to it. The Manchester City match was a big one, and this one has got a special something about it.”

Though they are in an impressive run of form netting fifteen times in their past five outings, he admitted that their trip to White Hart Lane would be hard and added that confidence would be the key to a good result against Tottenham.

“It’s going to be a tough game – we’re playing away over there, so it’s going to be hard. I think with the month we’ve just had, the confidence is going to be high.”

The 23-year-old anchorman revealed that their fans showed no mercy even for the Arsenal youth team as they gave them a lot of stick, but he asserted that such an atmosphere would only make him crave for a win.

“Even at youth level, we got a lot of stick from their fans and the atmosphere was really good. It just makes you want to do even better for your team and win the game.”

He has now become a fan favourite even with the microphone as he told that Arsenal must win the game at all costs for the club and fans.

“When you play for Arsenal against Tottenham, it’s not about just playing your game, it’s about winning. You have to win it. For the fans and the team it’s a big game and it’s one we want to win.”

His recent visit to White Hart Lane with the Gunners was not so fruitful as his recent fortunes as they suffered a 2-1 defeat in October 2011. He pledged that such a result will not be replicated this weekend as he foresees an Arsenal victory.

“Obviously it was not a good day because we lost. At the time, it’s already three years ago, I was young, but everyone helped me a lot. It could have gone either way. It went for them that time. Hopefully on Saturday it can go our way.”

“Obviously you want to win these types of games. From my side hopefully I can put things right. If I’m playing in this game I want to win this game.”

Arsenal have conceded only three goals in the six games that Francis Coquelin has started and he will be hoping to aid David Ospina in keeping yet another clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur.