The Tottenham captain believes Mikel Arteta’s side will be dreading local rivals in Sunday’s Premier League clash after such an impressive start to the season

Son Heung-min added fuel to the fire ahead of Sunday’s North London Derby by asserting that Arsenal will avoid playing Tottenham due to their strong start to the season.

The feel-good factor under new head coach Ange Postecoglou has insured a total turnaround in atmosphere in recent weeks, despite Spurs captain Son’s admission that memories of last season’s resounding 3-1 loss at the Emirates remain fresh in his mind.

He believes that Mikel Arteta’s team would be dreading the derby as a result, especially considering that they also had to consider playing PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last night while their neighbors had eight days to prepare.

I am aware of what it means for the team, the supporters, and the players, stated Son. “We ought to know what sort of game it is. They won’t want to play us now despite the fact that it will be a very challenging game.

“We simply have to give it everything we’ve got, and both teams will face challenges in this game. However, we’re excited to play against them now because the timing is good. We’ll play well together.

With 13 points from their first five games, Spurs are ahead of Arsenal on goal differential, and last Saturday’s dramatic comeback win against Sheffield United at home has kept Postecoglou’s romance alive.

But regardless of what has gone before or what will follow after, Son has stressed to his team-mates that Sunday’s result “is probably the most important of the season.”