Arsenal vs. Tottenham: Key Takeaways from Arsene Wenger's Pre-Game Presser

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised Harry Kane and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the north London derby on Sunday, but he said his team will be focusing on their own form before the crunch match.

The Gunners coach spoke about the England forward in his press conference on Friday after he was asked if he would ever attempt to sign the player, as quoted by journalist Darren Lewis (h/t Ben Burrows of the Mirror): "He has great qualities, and he will make a great career. Once a player is at Spurs you don’t even consider him any more."

The Frenchman added his team will be concentrating on their own standards and performance in the derby, per Arsenal's official Twitter feed:

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Arsenal rekindle their legendary rivalry with Spurs at the Emirates, but Wenger will hope his side do not falter after a damaging defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The north London team were swept away in the current of a German flood, as the Bavarians prevailed 5-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

Wenger confirmed Arsenal's defensive issues will continue on Sunday as full-back Hector Bellerin is out, but Laurent Koscielny could return, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The Frenchman also highlighted the form of his side's next opponents, as Spurs are undefeated since the opening day of the Premier League campaign, per Arsenal's official Twitter feed:

The coach said Spurs are now bridging the gap to their illustrious rivals, per Lewis (h/t Burrows): “Of course [Spurs are bridging the gap]. It was always level (playing field). It was when we had a 37, 38,000-seater it was level and after we moved into the new stadium because we had to pay our debts back. But now we are stronger.”

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Wenger spoke about the calamitous midweek display in Germany, and pointed the finger at his defence once again, per Lewis (h/t Burrows):

"

When you play against Bayern they are Bayern. I watched the game again and not a lot has changed since my analysis after the game.

I believe we created a high number of chances but we had not our usual defensive performance. Especially on the first two goals.

They are maybe the best team in Europe but if we’d had our usual defensive performance we could have repeated our performance from the first two games.

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But the manager was insistent the team's European ambitions are not over, per the club's Twitter account:

The coach also referenced the Premier League title race in his presser, but proclaimed it is too early to think about winning the championship:

Arsenal were second best in the Champions League, but the manner of the defeat leaves them vulnerable against a confident Tottenham side.

Harry Kane has found his goalscoring touch once more, and if Arsenal defend like they did against Bayern, they will concede goals on Sunday.

The north London teams are the top pairing at the summit of the Premier League form guide, but if the Gunners suffer a crisis of confidence after their European destruction, it will be Spurs who will believe they hold the advantage.