Sunday's instalment of the North London Derby, which is our Fixture in Focus here at FootballFanCast, could be the most significant in years, with just three points separating Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table.
But there's no doubting who enters this fixture in better form. Whilst Arsenal have won all but three of their games since the opening day of the season, the others being draws, Spurs haven't tasted victory since the start of October - when they famously beat Manchester City at White Hart Lane.
Spurs have kept their end of the bargain defensively but even so, extra measures must be taken against an Arsenal attack that has accumulated 17 goals in their last five games, including multi-goal thrashings of Ludogorets and Sunderland.
With that in mind, and considering they'll be travelling to the Emirates Stadium, we at FootballFanCast see a defensive (but not negative) starting XI as Spurs' best chance of victory.
Goalkeeper - Hugo Lloris
Who else but Hugo? The Spurs skipper is arguably the first name on the team sheet and his services will certainly be required against an Arsenal side who've scored the third-most goals of any Premier League team this season.
Right-Back - Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker received plenty of stick for his performance against Bayer Leverkusen and was partly at fault for the only goal of the evening. But the England international remains a solid pick on the right of defence and his pace could be an invaluable asset against an Arsenal attack spearheaded by Alexis Sanchez.
Centre-Back - Kevin Wimmer
Mauricio Pochettino's already revealed his preference currently lies with Cameron Carter-Vickers but Kevin Wimmer's superior experience could be vital in what looks set to be a hotly-contested North London Derby. The 23-year-old has been limited to League Cup outings so far this season, so he'll be determined to make the most of a chance to impress against the Gunners.
Centre-Back - Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen's never quite the same player without Toby Alderweireld alongside him but Spurs need their most experienced defender to be on his game this weekend. The Belgium international must be the organiser at the back, especially considering the freedom in which Arsenal have attacked this season.
Left-Back - Ben Davies
Some supporters might be bemused by this choice considering Danny Rose has been in good form once again this season and is one of the first names on Pochettino's team sheet nowadays. But Ben Davies is a far more measured full-back and arguably the better defender - that extra solidity he provides on the left-hand side could be the difference for the Lilywhites, particularly if the injured Theo Walcott returns to the right wing.
Defensive Midfield - Eric Dier
Having made almost as many appearances at centre-back this season as in midfield, some may have forgotten how effective Eric Dier is in the engine room. It's no secret that suffocating space in central areas just in front of the box is often the best route to beating Arsenal, which makes the England international a potentially invaluable asset for Sunday's game. He's tall, powerful and a great natural defender - but is also capable of distributing the ball on the break.
Defensive Midfield - Victor Wanyama
It's a similar case with Victor Wanyama, who has been fantastic since he moved to White Hart Lane during the summer. Indeed, the Kenyan international has added extra steeliness to Tottenham's midfield and was specifically purchased for high-profile fixtures like this one, where the Lilywhites will need to defend. Much like Dier, he's the perfect candidate to clog up Arsenal's link play in central areas.
Right Midfield - Moussa Sissoko
Midfield powerhouse Moussa Sissoko still hasn't quite found his role in Tottenham's squad, but it's games like this where he could really earn his £30million price-tag. Indeed, the Frenchman provides endless energy, both with and without the ball, and will be able to double-up on Arsenal's left winger (likely Alex Iwobi) whilst providing an outlet on the break. His versatility is also a huge asset for Pochettino, who may feel the need to change shape throughout the game.
Left Midfield - Eric Lamela
Another hard worker. Although Spurs fans may often find themselves frustrated by Eric Lamela's inconsistency, there's no doubt the industrious side to his game has improved exponentially under Pochettino. With Christian Eriksen struggling to perform this season and lacking natural physicality, the Argentine represents a more assured option on the left-hand side who fits in with Pochettino's pressing style.
Attacking Midfield - Dele Alli
In an otherwise industrious Spurs XI, Dele Alli's ability to produce moments of individual magic could be vital. The England international's not quite hit the dizzying heights of last season, despite three Premier League goals, but remains the most naturally talented player in Tottenham's squad. Equally as important as his influence on the ball, however, is his contribution to Spurs' pressing game.
Striker - Heung-min Son
Some fans may want a more obvious focal point in attack such as Vincent Janssen, who has the strength and aerial ability to occupy both centre-backs. But upon facing an Arsenal side who insist on playing out of the back and retaining possession as much as possible, Heung-min Son's pressing will likely have the bigger impact, especially working in conjunction with Dele Alli. The South Korean's got a goal in him too, with five across all competitions already this season.