London, January 14 (NationPress) Arsenal will face Tottenham Hotspur, one of the most intense rivalries in English football, as the Gunners welcome their North London foes on Thursday (IST).

Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta referred to the North London Derby as the 'nicest game of the season' in anticipation of this highly anticipated clash.

"It is the nicest game of the season to watch and play due to the atmosphere and what it signifies for everyone involved - us and the fans. The atmosphere is something that the supporters can contribute to, and we can enhance it by providing them with something to rally behind. Let's make it happen," Arteta remarked during the press briefing.

The Gunners' season appears to be faltering, having gone without a win in their last three matches, now trailing Liverpool by eight points in the league standings, losing 0-2 to Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup, and being eliminated from the FA Cup.

Striker Gabriel Jesus is feared to have sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, putting him on the sidelines for an extended period after being stretchered off in Arsenal’s defeat against Manchester United during the FA Cup's third round, further complicating the Gunners' injury woes.

Arteta did not disclose the full extent of the injury but expressed the club's concern regarding the situation. "(It's) not looking good at all, but we need to consult with the specialist and will have further details this afternoon. I don't want to confirm anything until we have the final report. We were very worried immediately after the game, and we are still very concerned today," Arteta stated.

The Gunners are already without Bukayo Saka, who was performing exceptionally before his injury, and he is not expected to rejoin the first team until March. It will be intriguing to see if they delve into the January transfer market to seek crucial attacking reinforcements.

The Spaniard confirmed that the club is 'actively looking' to enhance the squad. "My stance remains unchanged. We are actively exploring the market to bolster the squad. We have always done so. It would be naive not to consider it. We are examining options and making efforts, so let's see what we can achieve," he said.

"To bring in a player, there are three parties that need to agree. My affection for my players does not prevent us from contemplating improvements. We evaluate this continuously, and when the market opens, we must ensure we possess the best resources and capacity to compete as we desire," he added.