Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal this Sunday in a north London derby that feels of particular significance in the history of the rivalry between both clubs, as Spurs close in on their first ever league finish above the Gunners of the Premier League era.

Indeed, whilst Arsenal appear to be going backwards - or at the very least, standing still - Tottenham are racing ahead with their progression and have completely transformed from the club Mauricio Pochettino took over in summer 2014.

Nonetheless, there's no questioning the quality Arsenal still have, even if they've struggled to prove it consistently throughout 2016/17, and to write them off for Sunday's instalment of the north London derby would be glaringly naive.

With that in mind, a team combining the top talents of both clubs would be quite some side - one that would probably run away with the north London derby if it were fielded against Arsenal or Spurs this weekend.

FootballFanCast have put together one such combination, utilising the currently trendy 3-4-3 formation, with five representatives of one club and six of the other. But which side comes out on top? Take a look...

GK - Petr Cech

Hugo Lloris may be the more in-vogue 'keeper and Petr Cech certainly hasn't convinced everybody since switching London allegiances from Chelsea to Arsenal. But in the high-profile, close-knit encounter that is the north London derby, we're opting for the Arsenal No.1's immense experience over Lloris - a world-class shot-stopper but one who inevitably has a few mistakes in him, and has been frankly terrible with his feet this season.

RCB: Toby Alderweireld

One of the first names on our combined XI team-sheet, Toby Alderweireld has been nothing short of immense since moving to White Hart Lane from Atletico Madrid by way of a year-long loan at Southampton. Now widely revered as arguably the best defender in the Premier League, the Belgium international is playing a pivotal hand in Spurs chasing down the best goals conceded record in the division for a second consecutive season. Only one Arsenal centre-back truly compares to the 28-year-old, which brings us onto...

CB: Laurent Koscielny

It's felt like Laurent Koscielny has been keeping out attacks practically single-handed for much of the season, as one of the rare few consistent performers in front of Petr Cech. Indeed, much like Alderweireld, the France international is one of the Premier League's top centre-backs, not only a fantastic attacker of the ball in defensive situations but also capable of keeping up with top-class strikers with his pace and building up play from the heart of the backline. But who gets the third slot in our back three?

LCB: Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen's never quite matched the stunning form of his first season at White Hart Lane but there are few more consistent left-footed centre-backs in Europe and he's proved the perfect partner for Alderweireld since the former Ajax duo were reunited at White Hart Lane in summer 2015. In addition to a good reading of the game and quality on the ball, the 30-year-old now boasts a wealth of experience and has emerged as a natural leader in an otherwise youthful Spurs side. Perhaps not world-class, but certainly one of the best of the rest.

RWB: Hector Bellerin

A controversial choice, no doubt, considering Kyle Walker claimed a place in this season's PFA Team of the Year and boasts the most assists of any Premier League defender with five. But in terms of how their careers are likely to extrapolate over the next few seasons, Hector Bellerin could well go on to outshine his Tottenham counterpart; whereas Walker is at the peak of his abilities, the Spaniard is still learning his trade - and was matching the England international's performance levels last season. Long-term, we'd want Bellerin in our side.

RCM: Mousa Dembele

Unquestionably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, if not Europe, Mousa Dembele may not grab the goals and assists that a player of his quality should, but he offers incredible control in the engine room, combining natural power and athleticism with an exceptional ability to carry the ball. In the absence of a Victor Wanyama figure alongside, he'll have to play a more defensive and disciplined role in the middle of the park to compensate for a certain Arsenal midfielder's limited physicality....

LCM: Santi Cazorla

Arsenal just aren't the same side when Santi Cazorla, currently sidelined through injury, isn't pulling the strings in the engine room. Indeed, Arsene Wenger has a wealth of central midfield options at his disposal this season but none have been able to replicate the Spaniard's ability to orchestrate attacks and direct traffic through a top-class passing range, ambi-pedal feet and fantastic vision. He and Dembele would produce some brilliant link-up play operating in tandem in the middle of the park.

LWB: Danny Rose

Another potential absentee for this weekend's instalment of the north London derby, Tottenham have coped well without Danny Rose in recent months but they're still not quite the same side when the England international isn't providing dynamism, width and tenacity down the left wing. The 26-year-old excelled at left-back last season but the change to 3-4-3 has further enhanced his game, allowing him more freedom going forward. It speaks volumes of this performances during the first half of the season that he still made the PFA Team of the Year despite being sidelined since the end of January.

RF: Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez could take up any role in this attacking triplet, and thus would make it an incredibly fluid and nomadic front three. Indeed, the Chile international has produced the good as a striker, a winger and a supporting forward this season, amassing a whopping 19 goals and nine assists in 32 Premier League appearances. Tenacious and scrappy yet explosive and deadly in front of goal, the 28-year-old is one of the top players in the division; it's just a question of whether he'll still be in England next season with his Arsenal contract winding down.

LF: Dele Alli

Dele Alli's impressive tally from midfield was one of the stories of the season in the Premier League last term, but he's added even more goals to his game this year since moving from attacking midfield to the left forward role, netting a whopping 16 in the Premier League for Mauricio Pochettino's side. Still just 21 years of age, the England international is a phenomenal talent - already emerging as one of the best of his generation - and Tottenham now face a virtually endless task of keeping him at White Hart Lane.

ST: Harry Kane

He's one of their own - apart from when he used to turn out for Arsenal's youth team. Nonetheless, Harry Kane's record in the north London derby is fantastic with five goals in as many appearances against the Gunners, whilst he's high up in the Premier League's scoring charts once again this term with 20 strikes - despite making just 25 appearances during a season blemished by injury problems. The likes of Oliver Giroud and Danny Welbeck at Arsenal just don't compare.