Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen declares himself fit to face Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has confirmed he will be fit to face Arsenal on Saturday (18 November) after recovering from an ankle problem that had been troubling him for the past couple of weeks.

Vertonghen was left out of Belgium's 3-3 draw with Mexico last weekend but came through his country's 1-0 win over Japan on Tuesday unscathed. The 30-year-old, who missed a large part of last season with a troublesome ankle problem, revealed that he has been nursing the issue during recent matches and missed his side's defeat by West Ham United because of it, but he insists he will be ready for the trip to The Emirates Stadium this weekend.

News of Vertonghen's fitness will no doubt please Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has a number of injury headaches to contend with. The Argentine will almost certainly have to make do without defender Toby Alderweireld, who picked up a hamstring problem against Real Madrid, while Dele Alli, Harry Winks and Hugo Lloris are all doubtful after recently suffering knocks.

"Yeah, [the injury is] nothing to worry about," Vertonghen told Sky Sports. "I've been struggling for two weeks with it and that's why I didn't play against West Ham in the Carabao Cup but all good, I feel very good today, I am ready for the weekend."

Vertonghen has tasted victory in a number of north London derbies since joining Tottenham from Ajax in the summer of 2012, but he has never come away from Arsenal's home turf with a win.

Pochettino's side do not have a stellar away record against the top six clubs, but Vertonghen is hoping Spurs can put that right against their bitter rivals, who are currently four points behind them in the Premier League table.

"I can't recall I've won at the Emirates so that's what we're going for this weekend," Vertonghen said. Obviously we're doing well with Tottenham, Arsenal as well, and it will be a good game.They are always good games, always positive games, always respect between us, two positives sides who make good games."