Arsenal legend Martin Keown surprisingly praises Tottenham ahead of north London derby

If Arsenal's players are anything like club legend Martin Keown, they won't be taking this weekend's trip to Tottenham lightly.

He Gunners Go to the Tottenham Hotspur The stadium will face its north London rivals on September 15 in a tricky early-season test.

The match comes after Arsenal dropped their first points of the season at home. To Brighton last time when the match ended 1-1 after Declan Rice's controversial red card.

Mikel Arteta's side have a solid away record against their neighbours, having won their last two trips across town, but Keown has sent out an early warning ahead of the clash.

“I like what Spurs “I like the way they are playing, I like the unity in the stadium, the union,” he began.

“It's a difficult situation. I think they will now focus more on themselves.

“The last time Arsenal went there it was more about Arsenal winning a football match to become champions, now the manager (Ange Postecoglou) is establishing a culture and they have their own trophies that they want to win as it has been a long time.

“We have to respect Spurs and it is difficult. You want to go there with your best players, but they are not there.” (Riccardo) Calafiori has been injured(Mikel) Moreno, the guy who would have come in for Rice, is injured.

“It’s been an unfortunate start for Arsenal, but what they have to do now is create their own luck and go into that cauldron and come out with the three points.”

After offering surprise praise for Spurs, Keown even went so far as to suggest they are not far from the level of his former team.

“I don't think there's too much difference between the two teams after all this period without a trophy,” he said.

“Arsenal have not won the Premier League for 21 years, God knows how many years since Spurs won a trophy worth collecting, so they are in a similar situation.”

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When the co-host brought up the topic with Keown Simon Jordan that there are 'miles' between the teams given last season's 23-point gap, he replied: “I don't think there is when you play Spurs at home.

“It's a tough experience at the moment. You saw how they crushed Everton and their home record last season. You don't go there thinking you're automatically the favourites.

“When you go there you have to put out the fire at Spurs, you have to earn the right to play and that's what Arsenal have to do.

“I just feel like there are good players there and I like the way they play. I think Arsenal are better and closer to home.” Manchester Citybut I don’t rule them out.”