Premier League: We have to put our local rivalry aside, says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ahead of Spurs clash

The Premier League title race will have a decisive nextcouple ofdays as Arsenal play Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on Sunday (April 28). With the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League and Spurs hunting for a place in the Champions League next season, the clash on Sunday will have too many things riding on it. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that theywill have tokeep their local rivalry aside and focus on the Premier League title race.

Arteta urges to keep rivalryaside

"Ithinkit'san unbelievable atmosphere. We played there a few times alreadyandit'sa great place to play football. We have to put the rivalry asideandwe have tolive the game with passion and the intensity that it demands rather than anything special because the game has everything you need to enjoy it,”Arteta said in the pre-match press conference on Friday.

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The clash will be the second meeting between the sidesthis season, with Spurs drawing 2-2 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadiumbackin September. Interestingly, it was the Spurs who weretopof the league at that time. The fixture will be the first of the three forSpurs whoface Chelsea and Liverpool in the consequent weeks.

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Race for the Premier League title

A win for Arsenal will see them remain top of the league at least until next weekwith Manchester City in action later that day against Nottingham Forest. Liverpool, also in the hunt for the PremierLeaguewill be in action Saturday.

As things stand, Arsenalwith77points are top of the leaguewhileMan City are at 76 points with a game in hand. Liverpool are third with 74 points in 34 matches.

In the top four race, Aston Villa are in the pole position with 66 points but have played two matches more. Interestingly, the Villans could open a nine-point gap over Spurs if Spurs lose and Villa win over the weekend.