Arsenal goalkeeping legend David Seaman has emphasised the importance of Wednesday’s trip pro White Hart Lane, insisting the Gunners choose a strong team.

The former goalkeeper, who won the League Cup with Arsenal in 1993, has admitted that Arsenal haven’t enjoyed a strong start to the season, making the huge north London derby even more important.

“They have not had a great start, then they had a few good wins but they are going into this game off two defeats,” Seaman said. “They don’t want to go into their next Premier League game after three defeats.

“So [it] makes it a little bit more important for Arsenal to win in that aspect. It’s a massive game for the players and even bigger for the fans, the bragging rights are obviously dictated by who wins.”

Arsène Wenger is expected to rotate his side for the game, but won’t be picking a herd of youth players as he previously has in the League Cup.

With more experienced heads on the pitch, Arsenal will have enough nous in the derby. Then it is all about application.

“It will be a good game, and will be interesting to see what sort of side both teams put out because they will definitely put some not regular first teamers in there.

“It is important both put decent sides out there because if Tottenham put a full strength team out and Arsenal put a youth team out it’s not a good challenge. It’s about getting the mixture right.”

Seaman’s absolutely right, and that mixture is what Wenger will look for on Wednesday as he chooses between players lacking match fitness and some of his most talented stars.

Let’s hope we get it right.