Ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson cannot see his former club losing to Tottenham in the North London derby this weekend.

The two teams head into Sunday’s match in contrasting form, with the Gunners having won their last two matches, while Spurs have been on the wrong end of heavy losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Even after Arsenal’s disastrous start to the campaign, Merson said he was adamant that Mikel Arteta’s side would not lose the derby and his opinion hasn’t changed:

“I said even then when Arsenal had lost all three games and when Spurs had won all three games, that there is no way Arsenal will lose this football match. I don’t see Arsenal losing the game. There is a lot of pressure now on Tottenham. The game yesterday [against Chelsea], in the end, it was a bit like watching an under-10s team playing against a man’s team. It was shocking.”

With the game being held in front of a full crowd at the Emirates, you have to think that the Gunners will be the favourites. Form generally doesn’t play much of a part in derbies but the confidence that Arteta’s team would have drawn from the wins over Norwich and Burnley should hold them in good stead. If they can make it three league victories on the bounce, it would really kickstart their season.