In build-up to Saturday's North London derby, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Tottenham striker Harry is Europe's most in-form player at the moment
Tottenham's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his 100th EPL goal during the match against Liverpool on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger put North London rivalries aside as he accepted Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is the most in-form striker in Europe. Kane, 24, became the second fastest player to ever reach 100 Premier League goals by netting his 31st of the season in just 32 games to salvage a point for Spurs from a thrilling 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend.
Numbers speak volumes
"If you look at the numbers, no, because he has high numbers," Wenger said when asked if there was a better striker in Europe at the moment than Kane. The England international has scored six goals in seven North London derbies. Wenger broke Arsenal's transfer record last week to add more firepower to the Gunners quest for a top-four finish by splashing out £56m on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsene Wenger
And the Frenchman is hoping his new front line of Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can outgun Kane tomorrow. "I believe what you want in a game like that is to keep him quiet and for our strikers to express their talent." More than local bragging rights are on offer with Arsenal trailing fifth-placed Spurs by four points in the race for a return to the Champions League place with just 12 Premier League games of the season remaining. "It's a big game because we are behind in the table and we have to catch up," added Wenger. "It is important for us to come back mathematically in this emotionally-charged clash."
Following their controversial draw at Anfield that saw Spurs win two late penalties and Dele Alli booked for diving, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino defended his players by criticising the fixation with diving in English football.
'Masters in diving'
Wenger believes it is English players who have become the masters of diving. "I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it but I must say the English players have learned very quickly and they might even be the masters now."
Six No. of goals Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has scored against Arsenal in seven North London derbies
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