Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has fond memories of north London derbies, he won the league in one, and has called it the ‘most exciting’ derby in London.

The weekend saw the Gunners lose 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, but Lehmann insists the rivalry with Chelsea has nothing on games between Arsenal and Spurs.

As geographic rivals, the bitterness between the fans of the north London clubs goes back decades, whereas it is Chelsea’s recent rise to prominence that has brought about a more competitive rivalry.

“The game between Arsenal and Tottenham is the most exciting derby in London because the history is quite long,” Lehmann told Omnisport (per FourFourTwo).

“It is different now with Chelsea, which came in just 10 years ago when Roman Abramovich took over.

“With Arsenal and Tottenham there is a geographical proximity and there is the rivalry just out of historic clashes which have taken place.”

The goalkeeper would have had the importance of games between Arsenal and Spurs drummed into him as soon as he arrived at the club. Having played in the Derby della Madonnina for AC Milan and the Revierderby for both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, he knows exactly what the huge clashes between rivals should feel like.

Everyone at Arsenal is told of the importance of the north London derby, and the likes of Thierry Henry would have made sure Lehmann was well aware of its importance.

It’s no shock, then, that Lehmann fondly remembers winning the league at White Hart Lane in 2004.

“I remember myself becoming English champion at White Hart Lane and the Spurs supporters didn’t really like that! They were always very decisive games between those teams.”

In eight north London derbies, Lehmann conceded 11 goals and was never on the losing side. Winning four and drawing the other four, maybe Arsenal could do with the German between the sticks on Wednesday night.