Friday 28 April 2017 13:55, UK
Arsene Wenger has conceded some people will make Tottenham favourites to beat Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
The north London giants collide in a crunch derby clash live on Sky Sports this weekend, with Spurs hoping to maintain their Premier League title push and Wenger's side five points off fourth-placed Manchester City.
Victory for Spurs on Sunday would guarantee they finish above their rivals for the first time since 1995 and although Wenger stopped short of saying so himself, the Gunners boss admitted his team will be rare underdogs.
"It's certainly one of the few times where, if you look at people's opinions, Spurs are favourites," he said.
"It looks a bit like that but it doesn't matter too much to me. It's true that always in our press conferences we have to respond, if the worst happens what do you do?
"You cannot say the weight of one year has the weight of 20.
"But let's make sure that the best happens and give absolutely everything to make sure that we finish in a very strong way our season."
Wenger is confident his contract situation will not be a distraction to his players at White Hart Lane.
Arsenal go into the game with uncertainty still surrounding their manager's future; although it is understood a two-year deal has been drawn up, Wenger has said it is "not completely sorted".
The Frenchman has begun planning for next season, and is confident any off-field concerns will not impact on his players this weekend.
"Before a game like that, that doesn't cross my mind at all," Wenger told Sky Sports News HQ. "What is important at the moment is the very short term and the game on Sunday.
"There's no distraction. What's important for me in my life is the next game and how well we can prepare, how much we focus on it and how we respond to what is expected from us."
