espnstar.com's Chris Mulcairn casts an eye over the North London derby - highlighting the key battles that could decide the outcome.

Robin van Persie vs Ledley King

If Robin van Persie plays well then Arsenal play well - and how the talented Dutchman fares against the Spurs defence will go a long way to determining the outcome of this weekend's North London derby.

Van Persie is arguably the Gunners greatest goal threat following the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor last summer - scoring five goals in nine matches so far this season.

Although employed at the tip of the Arsenal forward line he is not your typical out-and-out striker and will drop deep in order to link up play or drift to the wings where he can find more space.

Once on the ball his excellent technique and astute football brain spells danger - he is adept at both tricking his way past defenders into the penalty area or playing a killer ball to the marauding Arsenal midfield of Fabregas, Arshavin, Walcott, et al.

As one of the Premier League's best dead-ball exponents he will be looking to take advantage of any opportunities offered up by reckless challenges around the Spurs penalty area.

Club captain Ledley King is one of the most naturally talented defenders in the game - and has the pace, power and intelligence to boss any game. However his achilles heel, as everyone knows, is his achilles heel, metatarsal, hamstring, cartlidge, etc, etc.

If King is 100% fit for the game at the Emirates then his physical presence and organization will be a major boost for the travelling side - as he is rarely outpaced or muscled off the ball.

He is an excellent reader of the game and will often frustrate his opponents by making timely interceptions as they wait for the ball to arrive. Extremely confident on the ball he can turn defence into attack - breaking up the opposition's play before striding up field or quickly distributing the ball to a well-placed teammate.

Van Persie will try to drag Ledley King all over the park - and in doing so open up the space behind the big defender for his teammates to exploit.

In response King must keep his defensive discipline and use his pace and strength to frustrate van Persie whenever he comes into his defensive area.

William Gallas has his critics but the combative centre-back has established a very solid looking partnership alongside Thomas Vermaelen this year.

He is strong in the tackle, has a good turn of pace and having won back-to-back Premier League titles brings a winners mentality to the Arsenal dressing room.

Not one to lack confidence the French international is the glue that holds the Arsenal back four together - providing the experience and organizational skills that have made Arsenal difficult to beat.

He also seems to have acquired something of a scoring touch - netting three times already this season - and therefore will be a big danger to Tottenham on set-plays.

You know what you are getting with Robbie Keane - experience, quick feet, an eye for goals and 100% commitment to the cause.

With five goals to his name already this year Keane is a man in form and his cool finishing could be the difference between the two sides this weekend.

Watch out for his link-up play with his midfield and his ability to play on the shoulder of the last defender - bending his runs to stay onside.

Gallas will look to keep touch-tight on Keane, not allowing him the space or time to turn with the ball and run at the Arsenal defence. If he can do this he will take away some of the Irish international's scoring threat.

Keane meanwhile will play across the front-line, using his clever movement to exploit the spaces between the Arsenal back four and land himself a one-on-one with the keeper.

No manager has more respect within the game than Arsene Wenger, who is credited with producing the wonderful free-flowing football of this current side.

Don't expect many surprises from the Frenchman who prefers to let his players play rather than filling their heads with tactical instructions.

He will pack his team with pace and skill and look to play through or around the opposition -  altering his formation from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 to 4-1-3-2 as and when the match dictates.

He gives his players the freedom to play and the confidence to try things - and more often than not is rewarded with a scintillating performance.

Harry Redknapp is no mug. You don't survive for 25 years as a manager without knowing what you are doing.

He is a superb motivator and will have spent the past week building up every one of his players so that they are full of confidence come game time.

To negate the slick passing game that Arsenal like to play he will look to turn the derby into a helter-skelter affair, asking his men to play at a high-tempo throughout and push up the pitch to deny their opponents time and space.

He's also not afraid to change things if required - so watch out for multiple substitutions late on if Spurs are looking for a winner or looking to hold onto a lead.