New Delhi: Arsenal and Tottenham will be fighting for much more than local bragging rights on Saturday as the north London rivals aim to get the top stop of the Premier League title.

As Premier League action returns following the international break, Arsenal sits top of the table after an unexpectedly strong start, while unbeaten Tottenham are just one point behind in third place. With Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United still recovering, a path has opened up for the north London clubs to win the title race.

Last year, Arsenal were in pole position to qualify for the Champions League when they moved four points clear of Tottenham with just three games left.

But Mikel Arteta’s side blew their chance as a disastrous 3-0 defeat at Tottenham was followed by a devastating loss against Newcastle, ruining their hopes of returning to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

Tottenham manager, Antonio Conte showed his ruthless side in Tottenham’s last game when he dropped Son Heung-min after his eight-match goalless run and was rewarded with a hat-trick from the South Korean after sending him on as a substitute in the 6-2 rout of Leicester.

Arsene Wenger, who led Arsenal to their most recent title in 2004, believes his former team should already be regarded as title contenders.

“I would say they have a good chance because I don’t see any super-dominating team. I believe it is a good opportunity to do it this season.”

However, Arsenal’s only match against a top-four rival this season ended in a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United. History is in Arsenal’s favor, beaten only once in their past 29 home league games against Tottenham, and must find a way to subdue long-time nemesis, Harry Kane.