Mikel Arteta 'loves' busy schedule ahead of pivotal Arsenal derby against well-rested Tottenham | OneFootball

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Mikel Arteta says he “loves” the fact Arsenal have had a packed schedule ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.

The game at Tottenham will be the Gunners’ eighth game this month, while Spurs come into the derby off the back of a 14-day break.

In that time Arsenal have had four games, crashing out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich and handing control of the title race to Manchester City by losing to Aston Villa.

But Arteta insists he is happy with his schedule and the rhythm it gives them going into a huge game this weekend.

“I love the fact that we played four games,” said Arteta. “We had some great experiences.

“It’s been a really demanding week. We had some great results in the last two. That’s boosted the confidence of everybody. We’re in a good place.

“What I can tell you is the boys are going to be fully ready on Sunday to go to play against a great opponent, that is going to make things very difficult for us and we are going to have to be very good to beat them.”

Arsenal head to Spurs top of the Premier League and one point clear of Manchester City, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.

Arsenal hammered Chelsea last time out

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Arteta is braced for an “unbelievable atmosphere” and wants his players to embrace the challenge that awaits them.

“We played there a few times already and it’s a great place to play football,” he said.

“We have to put the rivalry aside and we have to live the game with passion and the intensity that it demands rather than anything special because the game has everything you need to enjoy it.

“They (Tottenham) have been very, very consistent and I think that’s probably the biggest strength in what they’ve done.

“You have to prepare and sometimes in games you have to be able to tweak things if necessary.”

The Gunners travel to Tottenham looking for a huge win and this week marks 20 years since the Invincibles drew there to win the title.

Arteta is well aware of the history around that, but has tasked his players with writing their own story.

“Well, I understand that, but that’s not going to happen mathematically, even if we do win it,” he said.

“But there are moments, obviously, that are very important in our history and I am sure that a lot of players know about it.

“Certainly the staff and the ones that have been here long enough know about it. It’s about making our own history now.”