While it won’t garner the media attention of the north London derby earlier this month, Friday’s clash against Tottenham carries equal importance for our under-23 side.
Hugo Keto is all too aware of what’s at stake and says the team are focusing their efforts on claiming more than just three points.
"I think it will be a difficult game because it’a a north London derby and both teams will try their best to win it," Keto said. "There’ll be a lot of passion involved and it will be a very good game.
"There’s always a bit more passion involved when it’s the derby, because it’s about which one is going to be the boss of the area. It’s about being the boss of where we are from and I’m looking forward to that.
"We always have that feeling that we want to put one over them when we play Tottenham. We want to beat them and be the best team in north London."
Keto’s playing time has been limited this season, but the Finn is confident that keeping his focus in training will serve him well.
"I think I’ve done alright when I have played but there’s Matt [Macey] in front of me and he’s older than me,” he said. “So of course, he’s going to get the first pick if he’s fit and ready to play.
"When I do get my chances I’ve really got to take them and just be the best that I can.
"It’s a lot about your training. You’ve got to be ready all the time and of course in the games. You’ve got to train your best and if you train well, you will do well in the games."
For live updates on the action at Hotspur Way, follow @Arsenal on Twitter. Kick-off is at 12pm (UK time).
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.