'Derby is about more than three points’

Arsene Wenger believes victory in the north London derby is worth more than just three points.

The Arsenal manager will take charge of his 44th game against Tottenham when Mauricio Pochettino's team visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

Wenger stopped short of describing these clashes as "defining" moments of the season but admits a victory will give his team a substantial psychological boost ahead of a significant week of fixtures.

"It's an important moment of the season and it has a meaning for everybody," he said.

"Above all it's an opportunity for us to take points in the Premier League where every point counts.

"It looks again this season that every point is difficult to make. Of course we play a home game and we want to win our home games.

"Are they defining points [on Saturday]? I don't know, but Tottenham has over the years had good players and a good team. To be on top of them of course means that you can fight for the top of the league."

Pochettino will be the 12th permanent Spurs manager that Wenger has faced during his time at Arsenal and the Frenchman thinks the former Southampton coach is capable of holding down the role for a prolonged period.

"It's early in the season to judge a team but they have certainly less introduction of new players," Wenger said. "They will benefit from stability and he's a quality manager. He has shown that at Southampton.

"I just hope we can get on top of Tottenham. It's always a very heated atmosphere and I believe it will be a very competitive game as well."