Jack Wilshere: 'Derby games lift Arsenal'

Jack Wilshere has said that playing derby matches helps lift Arsenal's players.

The Gunners will face local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

The midfielder told the team's website: "There's a lot of pride at stake. The players know that, they feel the pressure as well so we'll be ready and we know they will be ready so we can't underestimate them.

"For some reason in these games every player just lifts their level. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because the fans expect to win, they don't want to lose.

"This is my favourite game of the season. I love these type of games. You just raise your level and you don't want to lose. When you're walking onto the pitch you're telling yourself, 'We can't lose this, no matter what we can't lose'."

Arsenal have won three of their last four meetings with Spurs.