60 seconds on Arsenal | John Cross, The Mirror

Welcome back to '60 seconds on...' our match preview with the pundits who know our opponents inside out.

Next up, it's that time again, the north London derby - number 170 in the Football League/Premier League and, as always, so much on the line at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday (4.30pm UK).

That meant a call into John Cross - @johncrossmirror - Chief Football Writer at The Mirror, Chair of Football Writers’ Association and a regular in the press boxes of White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Highbury and the Emirates for over four decades.

You've built up to all manner of north London derbies in your media career - where do you place this one?

John: "I do think this is an absolute cracker on Sunday. I think it's up there with the most important for both teams, for very different reasons. Tottenham have this amazing opportunity with a new manager looking to make a difference. How many times have we seen a new manager bounce, a new manager impact? If he is to win over the fan base, and you suspect that will be his first target, then what better way than to win a north London derby and put spikes in Arsenal's title challenge? I think the crowd will be electric, fired up for it. I'm sure that Igor Tudor will have instilled his methods and targets into the players this week. I do think you'll get a very, very fired up crowd, atmosphere and Spurs team. I always think back to the 1987 Littlewoods Cup semi-final replay - a game that I was at - as the most dramatic, the most eventful and I can remember certain ones down the years since. Do you remember Danny Rose's spectacular goal? Honestly, this has got so many of the makings because of what's at stake. I think it's up there with the most dramatic and the best, for sure.”

There are so many opinions out there, but where do you see Arsenal at the moment?

John: "Obviously,  Arsenal are well placed in the title race, but it feels to me as if they're in a nervous position. They have only won two of their last seven Premier League games. They're clearly having a dip and a wobble. The Wolves game spoke to me about Arsenal's frailties. They do look nervous, and I think much more tellingly, they look a bit tired mentally and physically. They've got to respond. You could argue that this would be a dream game for Mikel Arteta, because he'll be up for it, he will be determined, and he will really fight and see this as an ideal opportunity to bounce back. But I do think it's a hell of an ask. Spurs have obviously had a bit of a breathing space, extra time off, which I'm sure they wouldn't have wanted, but equally, it does give them an edge, I think, going into this north London derby on Sunday."

Who would you pick as Arsenal's key player going into Sunday?

John: "Arsenal's key player, I think, would be Bukayo Saka. I think he is a fantastic force and Arsenal's talisman, really. I do think Declan Rice has been Arsenal's best player overall this season, but he looked a little bit, and has looked a little bit, tired lately. He's put so much onto the pitch and been absolutely sensational - he would be a very close second to Saka, but Saka is capable of that little bit of magic, that little bit of X-factor, and he gets the importance of these games. There's been lots of talk about a new contract for him, which is a big boost so, with that in mind, those two things combined - Saka knows what it means, needing a response, a reaction - then I think it could be him. He could also wear the armband if Martin Odegaard isn't fit. Odegaard is crucial for Arsenal, they really miss him and his quality, but I do think Saka presents something a little bit special, a bit different, and so he'll be Arsenal's main threat."

Tactically, it looks like Arteta is between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 - how do you think he'll play this one?

John: "Arsenal, tactically, the back four is set, but it does change in midfield quite a lot. I would argue that sometimes it looks as if they flip between different systems and formations, and it very much depends on who plays. They sometimes use Zubimendi in midfield, with dual eights, if you like, with Odegaard and even Rice, and then, sometimes, they've used Rice and Zubimendi a little bit deeper, and then Odegaard pushing forward. The game at the Emirates saw Eberechi Eze score a hat-trick, relishing that forward midfield role. Arsenal are quite fluid in midfield, but I think the one thing you can definitely count on is basically the back four, and that front three - the right winger, the left winger, and the centre forward. It changes, really, in terms of who is available and the personnel. If Kai Havertz is available, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Arsenal playing dual eights. Then, if Odegaard is available, they change a little bit again. That is the challenge for Arsenal, to make the best of the formation and make the midfield system work, and that always depends on personnel. I think their first choice, if you like, would always be Zubimendi, Rice and Odegaard. If that being the case, then it tends to be Zubimendi at the base and that allows Rice to be a marauding player, and for Odegaard certainly to lead the press. Arsenal miss Odegaard when he's not available, Havertz as well, Havertz has been a big miss, and when he's been back, Arsenal have looked very, very dangerous."

Finally, how do you see this one playing out?

John: "I think this is a great opportunity for Spurs. I think the problem for Arsenal is they've got less preparation time, they've got less recovery time, they do look fragile in defence, and I think this will be an absolute red-hot derby, even though Spurs are obviously missing a few players, I think the squad will be up for it. I think it will be a great challenge and opportunity for Igor Tudor. I've predicted a Spurs win, and I do feel as if Arsenal just look vulnerable. Listen - they might bounce back, and it might be a great opportunity for them to do that, what a statement win that would be. At the moment, Arsenal do look a little bit nervous, a bit edgy, and I think Spurs might be able to take that into account. I've actually gone for a 2-1 Tottenham win.”