‘Fantastic start’: Tottenham’s Antonio Conte makes Arsenal admission ahead of North London derby

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says the Gunners have made a brilliant start to the season and are in a strong position going into the weekend’s Premier League encounter at the Emirates.

Just a point separates the Lillywhites and the Gunners and a win for either will see top spot in the Premier League secured.

Spurs are unbeaten in the league and sit third on the Premier League table, while Arsenal have one defeat, coming against Manchester United, but currently occupy top spot in the Premier League.

The signing of Gabriel Jesus has proved transformative for Arsenal while Spurs also have Richarlison fighting for the right to be the top striker for Brazil ahead of the World Cup.

Both strikers will be vying for three points in the Premier League this weekend but Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says the Gunners have enjoyed a ‘fantastic’ start to the campaign which tilts the game towards them in so many ways.

He told reporters ahead of the North London derby: “You know very well that these eight games that we are going to play, we have just started this league.

“For sure Arsenal had a fantastic start and they lost only one game against United.

“They are showing to be a really good team. I think that in the summer they made really good signings for them and improved the team that don’t forget last season in the last three games they were four points up from us so it means we are talking about a really good team that in the last season we did a really good job to overcome them in the last three games.

“At the same time I know the quality of this team. I know they have been working with Arteta for many years, they are really well organised and Arteta I said last season he is a really good coach.

“He is young but he can have in front of him a great career. We know that Arsenal are one of the six teams that try to take the best position in the Premier League.”