%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Mikel Arteta called the North London derby a 'beautiful' game while discussing the struggles faced by Arsenal's biggest rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Considering what has been Arsenal's best season in decades, the exact opposite can be said about their arch-rivals, who find themselves to be just a point above safety.
Tottenham have yet to win a single game in any competition since the turn of the year. It is slightly more understandable when you're a week or two into the season. However, with two and a half months under their belt, Tottenham still cannot find a way to win.
Their rivals have shown inconsistency too, but have largely won when it mattered most, still in every single competition they have played so far.
Mikel Arteta's honest verdict on Tottenham rivalry amid relegation talk
In the press conference before Arsenal's next game - a tough fixture against Everton - Arteta was asked about the struggles that Tottenham are facing at the moment.
He talked about the beautiful rivalry that the two teams have, and how fun it is to be involved in so much passion and intensity. It obviously brings out the emotion in both teams, and it is always interesting irrespective of the kind of form these teams are in.
When asked about it, although he gave a very diplomatic answer, it was clear how much he enjoys the contests.
He said: "I continue to say the same: It's one of the most beautiful games that we have because when there is such passion and rivalry, when it's in the right way in sport, I think it elevates the game and the feelings and the emotions after winning to a different level.
"It's not for me to say what's going to happen, but I can certainly describe how it's been to play against each other."
Even though Arteta could, he just would not go ahead and say that he would want Tottenham to be relegated. As much as the Arsenal fans would love to hear him say that, it is absolutely clear that Arteta is a professional, and he would want to respect his team's rivals at all costs.
It is certain that many of the fans would have said those words if they were in Arteta's position, but it is tough to say things like that when you are in the limelight all the time.
However, Arteta is right. There is nothing like the North London Derby, and it is always a great spectacle, regardless of form, whenever these two teams go up against each other. Whether that happens next season or not remains to be seen.