Arsene Wenger warns Tottenham before derby kick off

Nose to nose -: Arsenal and Spurs are both chasing the title

Spurs have NEVER finished above the Frenchman's Gunners and he says "they have made progress, yes. Now this is crunch time and we will see"

Arsene Wenger has ruled North London for 20 years - and believes Tottenham could be ready to let his reign continue.

Wenger claims Mauricio Pochettino's title hopes are facing their first real

examination in "crunch time", as the Arsenal manager brought in some mind

games ahead of Saturday's derby.

Tottenham have threatened to end the neighbours' dominance at times, but have never finished above their bitter rivals since Wenger took charge of the Gunners in 1996.

The Arsenal boss is already facing a fan backlash after his team's title-race collapse in recent matches — and Tottenham could go top this weekend if they win the lunchtime fixture and leaders Leicester slip up at Watford on Saturday evening.

But Wenger claimed his neighbours have not made as much progress as everyone thinks, pointing out they have only won four more points compared to the same stage of last season and claiming it is more to do with other clubs being inconsistent.

He said: "They (Tottenham) have made progress, yes. Now this is crunch time in the last ten games and we will see. That's why maybe everybody has a big interest in the game tomorrow.

"We have been remarkably consistent over the years and that is the only explanation (as to why Arsenal have always finished above Spurs during his reign). We want to do that again, and this game is of big importance because of that.

"We have a competitive rivalry but a fair one and that is what you want. In sport you always have rivals and derbies and course we have a rivalry.

"There have always been good games in the last 19-20 years and they always had good teams, Spurs.

"Every year before the season there is a lot of speculation they have moved forward this season. But look at the number of points for the teams."

Wenger knows defeat at White Hart Lane will be a major blow and will possibly end Arsenal's title aspirations.

The heat will also turn up on Wenger as the fans are already in meltdown after yet another end-of-season collapse.

The atmosphere has turned nasty at the Emirates during the Swansea game, they booed the team and fighting even broke out among Arsenal fans divided over whether it is time for Wenger to go.

Wenger refused to answer when asked whether it was time for him to go and if he had taken the club as far as he could.

"That's a very good question a day before we play Tottenham," said Wenger.

"Our fans are unhappy, I am unhappy, we're all unhappy and if you were in our dressing room after the Swansea game you would see that we are absolutely devastated to lose the game.

"The players — nobody moved for minutes and minutes. It's normal. Why do you want people to be happy when you lose? It's quite remarkable that you are shocked by statements like that.

"We have to be immune to that (reaction from fans). We are professional people. You cannot always say that we focus on our job and it's then reverse.

"We have to provoke the positive reaction from the fans and that's our job."