Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has called Spurs a “great” club and hopes to see them in the Champions League again soon.

Our north London rivals are a long way from ever competing for the league title so a brief cameo in the Champions League is about the best they can ever hope for, and even that seems highly unlikely.

The goalkeeper, though, has said it would be nice to see the club make the Champions League as he relishes the idea of a north London derby in the knockout stages of Europe’s biggest competition.

“I think Tottenham is a great club,” Lehmann said to Omnisport (per FourFourTwo). “It is traditional, historic. But it was always missing the last bit to break into the dominance of the top four clubs.

“They are always trying every year and I would like them to qualify for the Champions League. Why should Manchester City or whoever else always qualify for the Champions League?”

The Gunners face Spurs at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night in the third round of the League Cup. With both sides having uninspiring starts to the season, the League Cup provides a chance of silverware.

With that at stake, and the normal pressure and passion of a north London derby, there’s little doubt the game will be an intense one, regardless of the players on show.

Even more intense would be a huge clash between the two sides on Europe’s biggest stage, and that is what Lehmann is hoping to see.

“Of course I wish it more to Arsenal [to qualify for the Champions League] but next year I could see a game between Arsenal and Tottenham in a Champions League semi-final or quarter-final. Why not? It would be great.”

It wouldn’t be great for my heart, but the occasion would be absolutely monumental.

For the time being, with Spurs unlikely to finish in the top four and English clubs struggling in Europe as it is, such a meeting seems incredibly unlikely.