Saturdays north London derby is the biggest for 25 years, says Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson. Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur entertain third-in-the-table Arsenal at White Hart Lane with the two city rivals separated by just three points ahead of kick-off.However, for only the fifth time in Premier League history, it is Spurs who head into a derby played after January 1 in front of Arsenal in the standings. And with both sides still within striking distance of surprise leaders Leicester City as we approach the seasons finale, this game takes on even greater significance according to the former Arsenal forward.I think the FA Cup semi-finals in 1991 and 1993 would be bigger, Merson told this weeks The Fantasy Football podcast. They were massive games, although they are always big. Paul Merson and his Arsenal team-mates celebrate their victory over Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in 1993 When I used to be on holiday prior to the season, in pre-season before the fixtures came out in June, I would always ring my dad and say: When is the Tottenham game? Always, the rivalry is that big.But now, this is probably the biggest it has been for many a year because both teams could win the league. TFFC Podcast: March 3 Max & Merse predict the weekend Premier League games and there are One2Elevens by Monk and Redknapp You know, lets be honest, Tottenham have not been in the title race for a long time. And that is not being disrespectful, it is fact. Tottenham have not been top of the league this side of Christmas since 1985, so that tells you everything.When I was playing for Arsenal, you were there not to like Spurs. It was the big game and you always got that feeling when you drove into the ground and felt the atmosphere, for both teams home and away. This is probably the biggest derby for many a year because both teams could win the league. Paul Merson Looking ahead to this weekends showdown, Merson - who played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997 - thinks that with so much riding on the result, it will be a cagey affair in the capital.I do think that both teams will be too scared to lose and it will be a big win if either side wins, he said. At the moment Arsenal are chasing two teams down and you want to be chasing one, you do not want to be chasing two.However, whatever the outcome, Merson believes that the rise of Mauricio Pochettinos team this season can only be good for the Gunners in the long run. The two city rivals played out a 1-1 draw when they met at the Emirates in November I think it is great watching the way Spurs play at the moment and I think it is great for Arsenal as well, as it puts a lot of pressure on them, the board and everyone else as Tottenham are up there, he said.If they were not up there, then it would be like it does not matter, it is Arsenal again, but this time the pressure is on and fair play to them.Do you agree with Merse? Is this the most important north London derby for a quarter of a century? Let us know in the comments box or Tweet @SkyFootball. Also See: Merson: Wengers job on the line Finishing costing Arsenal West Ham dent Spurs title bid The title race run-in Vans Shoes Clearance Sale .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Vans Sk8 Hi Leather . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Vans Old Skool White . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Vans Old Skool Sale . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds promoted infielder Hernan Iribarren from Triple-A Louisville and designated for assignment pitcher Dan Wright.Iribarren will start for Cincinnati at second base for Sundays game against St. Louis. Brandon Phillips was scratched for the second consecutive day with a sore left foot.The 32-year-old Iribarren previously played in 24 games over two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting a combined .185 in 2008 and 20009.ddddddddddddThrough Saturday, Iribatten was leading all Reds minor leaguers and the International League in hitting with a .327 average. He is trying to become the first Louisville Bats player to win the IL batting championship.Wright was 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA in four games, including two starts, with the Reds this season. ' ' '