Fatigue not a worry for Arsenal's Arteta ahead of derby

LONDON :Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not concerned by his players' hectic schedule in the build-up to Sunday's vital north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur.

Premier League leaders Arsenal would open up a four-point lead over champions Manchester City if they beat Tottenham, although City, who face Nottingham Forest later on Sunday, would have two games in hand.

Fifth-placed Tottenham have not had a game for two weeks whereas Arsenal have played four times in that period - a two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich and league matches against Wolves and Chelsea.

"I love the fact that we played four games. We had some great experiences," said Arteta whose side will have three more games left after the Tottenham clash.

"It's been a really demanding week. We had some great results in the last two. That's boosted the confidence of everybody. We're in a good place.

"We will do what we can to prepare to be better on Sunday."

Although Arsenal are top as they chase a first title for 20 years, Manchester City are regarded as statistical favourites to win a fourth successive crown.

Data analysts Opta rate Arsenal's chances of holding off City at only 26.6 per cent, but Arteta is laughed that off.

"I don't know what to say. Maybe we can tweak the computer to make it a bit higher," he told reporters. "Maybe it needs to update the software, we can help it to update the software and give it more tools. Hopefully, we can change that."

Arsenal, who drew 2-2 with Tottenham at home, have a virtually fully fit squad for the climax to the season with defender Jurrien Timber close to a return.

Timber, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August, played half a game for Arsenal's Under-21 side on Monday.

"We're