Arsenal vs Tottenham: Mousa Dembele hopeful of being fit for north London derby

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has declared himself fully fit for the north London derby against Arsenal following a recent ankle injury.

The Belgium international was a half-time substitute in his country's 3-3 draw with Mexico and played the whole of the second half at the Roi Baudouin Stadium.

Dembele is now expected to be involved when Belgium face another fellow-World Cup qualifier Japan, but he has already turned his attention to Tottenham's trip to Arsenal on Saturday [18 November].

"My injury is much better," Dembele told Sky Sports. "I played 45 minutes in the last game (against Crystal Palace) so it is good. Of course, I want to be playing for the team and adding my value but right now I am very optimistic and feel good.

"For us every game is important but we know there is some extra vibe for this kind of game (Arsenal), it's very important for us.

"Also, like the fans, we have the same goal, we want to achieve something as a club and any team that we play we want to beat, we want to win. That is the same with this game, we are aware of the importance of this derby."

The 30-year-old missed six matches with an ankle problem across the last two months, including the draw at Real Madrid in the Champions League and the thrashing of Liverpool.

He returned with a cameo appearance at Manchester United at the end of October before replacing the injured Harry Winks at half time in the narrow win over Crystal Palace before the international break.

News that Dembele, who has also struggled with a hip problem this season, is ready to return from the start for Tottenham comes as a major boost to Mauricio Pochettino, who has a midfield selection crisis ahead of facing Arsenal.

While Winks went off against Palace with an ankle complaint and Dele Alli missed the game with a hamstring injury; leading to both players withdrawing from the England squad.

Victor Wanyama has been nursing a knee injury since September and has been forced to see a specialist to determine the full extent of the problem.

Elsewhere, Tottenham's top scorer Harry Kane also pulled out of the England squad with a knee problem while captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is struggling with a groin injury. Toby Alderweireld has a hamstring issue and Michel Vorm is also out injured.

Erik Lamela meanwhile remains on the sidelines having not played for over a year after surgery on both hips.

Weekend opponents Arsenal have not escaped the curse of the international break either and have already seen Olivier Giroud return early from France duty with a groin problem, while Aaron Ramsey has pulled out of the Wales squad to face Panama though he is not thought to be injured.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is already without five first team players in the form of David Ospina, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla.