This Saturday, Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial fixture where the Gunners can remain top of the league after their amazing start, whereas Spurs can overtake their North London rivals if they take all three points. 

William Gallas has more than eight North London Derby's under his belt, and knows exactly how it feels to be on both sides of the pitch, having been the only player to play for Arsenal, Spurs & Chelsea. 

He has even captained the away side in their first away win at the Emirates Stadium since 1993, in a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Gunners as they fought back a two-goal deficit. 

In this exclusive interview, we hear what Gallas thinks about Arsenal and Spurs' latest acquisitions, his opinion on Harry Kane in comparison to the strikers that he's faced and played against and what it's like to play in a derby match. 

  • On Kane finding his feet again

Harry Kane was lost when Nuno Espirito Santo departed, desperate for a new challenge, with many critics slating his lack of effort at the start of last season. 

But William Gallas believes the Englishman is back to his best, scoring and having fun in a rejuvenated Spurs side under Antonio Conte. 

Gallas said, "Last season it was difficult for Harry Kane because he wanted to leave Tottenham but it didn’t happen, it affected him mentally and he struggled. Now I think he's back, he's starting to score and he's putting everything behind him. Different style, but I'm sure if you play against him it's not easy because he's very strong, very clever, and he moves all the time."

The former Spurs man clearly rates him as one of the best, and when asked whether he would take the England captain or Robin Van Persie, he said, "He doesn't always stay in front, which for the centre-back can be a little difficult, because he drops deeper to get the ball, and with his technique he can find his teammates.

"Then when he's in the box he's a danger, because you never know which way he will go, right, left foot, he’s so strong with both feet, and his head. So I would put him on the same level as Robin van Persie."

  • On the atmosphere at both grounds

Gallas also discussed the feeling of playing for Spurs at their stadium, and how it felt to play in such an intense stadium where the crowd are on top of you. 

He said, "It was just unbearable when I used to go to White Hart Lane. It was just wow, their fans were crazy. As a player, you want to play in that kind of game.

"You can feel the hunger from the fans, and you want your teammates to fight for the ball, challenge, to be strong in the tackle. But it has changed a little bit, it's not like when I played where I'd say it was crazier."

However, there's been arguments that derbies have lost their spark. This year's Battle of the Bridge was action-packed, but nowhere near as fiery as other derbies including some NLDs in the past. 

Gallas agreed with these critics and stated that, "The last few years, I've found the derby has not been the same as maybe 20-30 years ago. It looks like all the players know each other.

"When I said “fight” I meant in the right way, when you go on the pitch, even if you know some players on the opposite team, when you are on the pitch, they are not your friend anymore and you have to represent your shirt. In the big challenges, the 50/50s, you have to win them and be strong."

  • On training with Drogba at Chelsea

Gallas shared the pitch with some of the Premier League's finest talent available, including the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. 

He recalls how hard it was to face the Ivorian forward, and what it was like for the first time to train with him in his time in West London. 

He says that, "it's always different to train with someone every day, you know him every day. You know him very well, how he moves, but the training is not the game. When I moved to Arsenal and played against him, I truly understood how good he was."

"You can be a bit worried because you know he's very strong and at any time, he can do something and you can be a little bit surprised."

  • Which signings have impressed you the most?

"Richarlison for Tottenham is a good signing. At the beginning he was on the bench and that was normal because he'd just arrived so it was important for him to settle at the club and to get to know his teammates better, and slowly start to integrate into the starting 11.

"When you see him play, he’s very clever because he knows he always has to find Harry Kane so when he plays he's always looking for him and you can feel them understand each other. So that's good for Tottenham."

However, Gallas also seems to be a fan of the other Brazilian who has arrived in North London this summer, saying that "I think Gabriel Jesus has had a good impact on Arteta’s system, he's brought his experience with him from City and he's very strong.

"He makes space for other players to go beyond him, so I think those two players are the best signings for both teams."

As Saturday beckons, we will see who makes the biggest influence, but it looks to be an insanely even game between two fierce rivals and well-matched sides.