Antonio Conte has questioned whether or not Arsenal can hold their nerve in the title race (Picture; Getty)

ottenham boss Antonio Conte admits Arsenal have a ‘great opportunity’ to win the Premier League this season but warned the big test starts now for the leaders.

Spurs host their north London rivals on Sunday eager to boost their top-four hopes while Mikel Arteta’s team will aim to keep their healthy advantage at the summit.

Arsenal have spent the majority of the season in first position but dropped points in their last league encounter, a 0-0 draw with Newcastle, and face another stiff challenge this weekend.

Conte said: ‘When you are at the top of the league the perception of your opponents change totally.

‘You are in that moment the best team in the league. For this reason, everybody wants to try to beat you.

‘For sure, Arsenal has to face this situation of being favourites to win the league at this moment because they are top of the table. They have to show they are good to face this type of situation.

‘In the last 10 years it was always the same, between (Manchester) City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Maybe Leicester.

‘Now Arsenal have a great opportunity. They are working for many years in a project. They are doing very well. They sent away a lot of players, and bring in many players and they spend money to do it.

‘I think they are doing very well. Now they have to show they can stay there until the end of the season because I’m sure Manchester City doesn’t agree and will feel the real possibility to win (the title) again, especially because Liverpool already lost a lot of points. The same for Chelsea and (Manchester) United.

‘I think it is a battle between Arsenal and Manchester City.’

Ahead of this weekend’s derby, Conte highlighted the importance of showing respect to referee Craig Pawson.

Arsenal have been charged by the Football Association twice this month for failing to control their players in matches with Newcastle and Oxford.

‘You have to show respect in every situation and especially also with the referee because I know very well the difficulty to be a referee, to take decisions,’ Conte added.

‘I think to intimidate or to create a bad atmosphere is not fair. I don’t like this. I hate the people that try to do it.’

MORE : Arsenal on verge of £80m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer with incoming signing in line to make debut against Man Utd

MORE : Mikel Arteta provides injury updates on Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus

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The Gunners hold a five-point lead over Manchester City.