Arsenal welcome Premier League rivals Spurs to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the first north London derby of the season.

Mikel Arteta's side have bounced back to winning ways after a tricky start to the campaign saw them lose their first three games in a row.

The Gunners boss will no doubt have some big decisions to make, and one player who the Spaniard should seriously consider starting is Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian has been on the fringes of things for the north Londoners so far this season, but he did make the starting line-up against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup in midweek, drawing the foul for Alexandre Lacazette's penalty.

He showed the kind of speed and directness which could really cause Spurs' defence problems, and his teammate Pablo Mari is a big fan of his ability and potential.

The 28-year-old said: "He has exploded on to the scene and is showing that he’s a great player with a lot of talent. Martinelli has shown he is a bit different to any other player in terms of his ability. He has great vision and there’s real talent there in terms of his dribbling and his ability to choose the right play.

"His decision-making is improving all the time. Martinelli still has a lot more to show but he has incredible talent and I think gradually he’ll keep developing and become a top player."

After watching him score a decisive goal in Arsenal's victory over Crystal Palace at the end of last season, former Gunners boss Freddie Ljungberg said: "He's very special and he's a lovely boy as well. You hear how he speaks, of course he's disappointed he's not starting, it's been a while.

"He does so well and all he is saying is that he is always ready when he (Arteta) wants me and it's a dream for a manager to have."

His work-rate and desire to hunt the ball down relentlessly would be appreciated in a derby clash, and having him in a front three alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka could leave Nuno Espirito Santo's defence quaking in their boots.

The £26m-rated starlet could terrify Spurs with his pace and skill this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are eyeing Aubameyang's successor in this La Liga star...