ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has issued a rallying cry ahead of today’s north London derby. 

Hostilities resume in the Premier League this weekend, with the mouth-watering clash between first and third taking place at lunchtime.

Arteta’s side head into the eagerly awaited fixture top of the table after posting six wins from seven league matches prior to the international break — with those in red and white hoping for a repeat of the 3-1 scoreline in the same match last term.

Speaking to the Morning Star, Arteta highlighted the importance of fans’ backing.

“I think it’s crucial,” the 40-year-old said, adding: “If they are able to create the atmosphere they did last year, or better, the team will be flying because it's so helpful. The emotion, the level of confidence is a driving force.”

Antonio Conte’s visitors are unbeaten in the league and head to Ashburton Grove a single point behind the Gunners.

Spurs thrashed Leicester City 6-2 in their last match prior to the international break, with Son Heung-Min grabbing a quick-fire treble after coming on as substitute.

Arteta is particularly keen to banish memories of Spurs beating the Gunners 3-0 in May, in what was effectively a Champions League shoot-out.

Arteta said: “Every defeat leaves a scar. It was a big learning point, if you want to use it in the right way. Hopefully the experience has made us better as a team.”

The Arsenal manager turned out to be the unexpected star of the recent All of Nothing fly-on-the-wall documentary, with his endearing passion and quirky motivational style.

He was also a driving force behind the club and supporters adopting Louis Dunford’s stirring Angel anthem last season — and made no bones about invoking it ahead of the weekend’s huge clash.

In response to the Morning Star asking what the evocative song meant to him, Arteta replied: “I get emotional. It’s unique. He’s a local guy with huge feelings for our football club and he’s done it in a very natural way, the timing clicked.

“It’s not something we created, it was something that happened naturally. It was like a huge wave and the supporters bought into it. You can sense it.” 

Arsenal will monitor Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Kieran Tierney is following concussion protocol while Martin Odegaard is available.

Spurs are assessing Dejan Kulusevski. Captain Hugo Lloris and defender Ben Davies are doubts, with the game coming too soon for Lucas Moura.