Tottenham vs Arsenal: The North London derby is now a test for the Gunners’ “bottle”.

Will the fear of losing or drawing increase the pressure on players who will know this season represents their best chance of winning the title to the point that they are now struggling to finish with wins?

It’s a high-stress environment. This season there are no excuses. It may only be now or never.

Arteta always cuts a troubled figure on the sidelines. He recently urged Arsenal fans to “jump on the fun boat”, but he does not seem to be enjoying himself at the moment, even though he is leading a team at the top of the standings and insists that “the present is beautiful.”

He says he will “stay calm, keep my eyes open, my ears open, and understand what the players need to do their best.”

Arteta added: “We have to live in the present. What we did in the past is great, but we have to live in the present, and the present is beautiful.”

“We are exactly where we want to be in every competition. We need to earn it, as we have done in the last seven or eight months.”

Getting to this position, which is a healthy position, is another factor in the equation. Are the physical demands starting to affect the players?

Martin Zobimendi, who has been outstanding since his summer move from Real Sociedad, is one example of this.

He has seen more Premier League matches than any other Arsenal player, making all 27 appearances with 26 appearances, playing 2,270 minutes in his first season in the Premier League.

Eberechi Eze was almost a spectator by comparison, despite the fanfare that greeted his £60m arrival from Crystal Palace in August, who was stolen from Tottenham at the eleventh hour.

Since scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Tottenham in November, Eze has featured in all 15 of Arsenal’s league matches, but has made just four appearances and played 360 minutes.

However, broader questions surround Arsenal’s temperament in withstanding the pressure that is suddenly approaching them, an ominous reminder of past failures.

Arsenal remain in a great position in all competitions, a position they could have signed immediately in August. Their cause could be helped by the return of key duo Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.

If the Gunners beat Tottenham, the doubts will be dispelled, but there is one thing that is beyond doubt.

The North London derby is now a very different place than it was two weeks ago.