In Pictures: Tottenham and Arsenal stars train for north London derby

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Standard Sport9 February 2018

Tottenham and Arsenal players were putting in the hard yards on Friday as the rivals prepare for Saturday's north London derby at Wembley.

Spurs players were all wearing training tops to celebrate the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Dog - while Arsenal players wrapped up warm at their Colney base ahead of the big clash.

The north London derby is one of the most fiercely contested fixtures every season, and there will be extra spice in Saturday's early kick-off with so much at stake in the Premier League.

Both Spurs and Arsenal currently sit outside the top four in fifth and sixth respectively, and defeat for either side could seriously dent one club's hopes of Champions League qualification for next season.

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

Mauricio Pochettino has been boosted by the return of Toby Alderweireld, and is confident of Spurs pushing on with plenty of competition all over the pitch.

"Now we are 24 players and it will be tough to find a place in the starting XI for everyone, 24 players that fight to be on the starting XI every single game," Pochettino said.

"And I think it's a very good thing for us because we are going to increase our level and in that very busy period we need all focused trying to give their best."

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger appeared to take a dig at Spurs' English players after Harry Kane and Dele Alli were accused of diving against Liverpool.

Alli was correctly cautioned for simulation in last weekend's 2-2 draw, while Kane was criticised for how the manner in which he won a penalty after being caught by Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Pochettino said on Tuesday that 'tricking' an opponent was now part of the game but, while he believes he knows what the Argentinian was getting at, Wenger went on to point the finger at home-grown players.

"I am convinced that he wanted to say that tricking your opponent is to say that you have to be clever," he said when asked about Pochettino's comments.

"How far was it an apology for diving? I'm not sure at all. I don't think he would. In my personal case? No. We have to get the diving out of the game.

"I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it but I must say the English players have learned very quickly and they might even be the masters now."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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