Hector Bellerin is flattered. Who wouldn’t be? Manchester City and Barcelona have the 21-year-old full-back high on their wish lists and surely a Catalan who started his career in Barca’s La Masia academy would harbour a dream of performing regularly at the Nou Camp?

The defender dismissed that notion vehemently last night. “If I wanted to play there I would have stayed there,” he said. “I was very happy when Arsenal showed interest in me and I decided to come here. I’m not looking back, I’m just looking to help Arsenal.”

On Sunday, the youngster will be aiming to help the Gunners to victory over Tottenham. His focus is entirely on the north London derby.

No wonder Bellerin has caught the eye of Europe’s big spenders. His pace and power down the right have given Arsene Wenger’s team an extra dimension in their fine start to the season. He is effective going forward but no slouch when defending. Rio Ferdinand hailed the youngster as the Premier League’s best full-back. Bellerin provides width, balance and security to a side shaping up to be Wenger’s best team in a decade.

“It’s nice for a player to know that big teams want you but I’m very happy here,” he explains. “I’ve still got three years left on my contract so I’m just focused on playing every single week, improving and hopefully making things happen here at Arsenal. I’m not in a rush to extend the contract. I’m happy. I’m comfortable. I want to be here a long time.”

He is more at ease taking praise from Ferdinand. “It’s very nice when those things come from another player, especially a person who knows the game and knows how the position works,” he said.

Bellerin is aware he cannot let the acclaim go to his head, though. “I’m only 21, so there’s many more things still to improve. The ceiling is so high. I just need to keep learning and improving. You can take the praise on board but you can’t believe it too much or you’ll relax and stop working. I’ll continue doing the same thing I’ve done through my whole career. Learning, analysing every game and hopefully improving.”

Bellerin has been outstanding this season but believes something special is happening at the Emirates after Arsenal’s excellent start — they are unbeaten since losing on the opening day. “We’ve been building the team for the last couple of seasons and we’ve been getting new players who just seemed to click,” he said.

“We’ve started really well in all competitions and every single player has been on point. You can see how excited everyone is, not just the players but the fans and all the coaching staff. Everyone’s got a connection and is on the same wavelength and you can see that on the pitch.”

When it comes to the derby, Bellerin is clearly tuned in to the mood of the fans. Did anyone instruct him in the delicate politics of north London football when he arrived from Spain as a 16-year-old? “You don’t need to be told,” he said emphatically. “You just know.

“It’s like a rule you just learn when you come into the club and you can see when you interact with fans how important it is to them. Even though you haven’t been in the country a long time, even the new players like Granit [Xhaka] and Lucas [Perez] know how important it is for the whole club to win the game.”

Despite Tottenham’s troubles — their Champions League campaign is on the brink after the 1-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen and their unbeaten League campaign has been undermined by five draws — Bellerin knows the derby will be tough.

“They did well last season,” he said. “They’re a threat. They are a good team.

“We’re going to have to take control. We know they press high, we know they press well. They run a lot but it’s up to us to be inspired and when we have our chances to take them.”

Victory is important for Arsenal as they attempt to keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. This weekend City have a winnable home match against Middlesbrough. Liverpool and Chelsea, the two teams below the Gunners and above Spurs, are also at home and face Watford and Everton respectively.

Ten classic North London Derbies 10 show all Ten classic North London Derbies 1/10 3 May 1971, Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1 On the final day of the season Bertie Mee’s side needed at least a draw to claim the title against a Tottenham side that had claimed that season’s League Cup. A tight, nervy affair was not settled until the 88th minute.



Pat Jennings, who would move down the Seven Sisters Road in 1977, blocked John Radford’s initial shot but Ray Kennedy was on hand to head in the goal that secured Arsenal’s title. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 2/10 1 January 1985, Arsenal 1 Tottenham 2 Tottenham's best shot at a title charge since they won the First Division in 1961 saw a famous victory at Highbury that saw them maintain their advantage at the top of the table with Glenn Hoddle in exceptional form.



Tony Woodcock earned a surprise lead for the hosts but Spurs kept coming, goals from Garth Crooks and Mark Falco securing the win.



Spurs would ultimately miss out to Everton in their title bid but this forever remains a famous victory for a great Tottenham side. Steve Powell/Allsport 3/10 14 April 1991, Tottenham 3 Arsenal 1 There had never been a North London Derby at such a late stage of the FA Cup before. Arsenal were targeting a double, mid-table Spurs were in their way.



The match will always be remembered for Paul Gascoigne’s howitzer of a free-kick after just five minutes, one of the great Wembley goals. Gary Lineker got the other two goals for Spurs, with Alan Smith claiming Arsenal’s consolation in a disappointing day for George Graham’s side. They would go on to win the league, but their rivals had snatched the cup from them. 4/10 25 April 2004, Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2 Arsenal meted out the ultimate humiliation on Tottenham fans, who were forced to watch on as Arsene Wenger's Invincibles secured the point they needed to win the title at White Hart Lane.



Visiting Arsenal fans were in dreamland after 35 minutes as Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires scored the goals; their mood was hardly worsened in spite Jamie Redknapp's strike and even a last-minute penalty from Robbie Keane that denied the champions a victory. ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images 5/10 13 November 2004, Tottenham 4 Arsenal 5 The highest-scoring north London derby of the Premier League era saw Arsenal come out on top again at the Lane, seven months on from their title celebrations.



Noureddine Naybet had volleyed Tottenham into an early lead only for Thierry Henry to level on the stroke of half-time. From there the Gunners cut loose.



Lauren and Patrick Vieira made it 3-1, Freddie Ljungberg cancelled out Jermain Defoe's strike for 4-2, Ledley King added intrigue with the game's seventh, before Robert Pires hit a fifth for Arsenal. Freddie Kanoute's goal prompted a nail-biting finale for both sides. Ian Walton/Getty Images 6/10 22 January 2008, Tottenham 5 Arsenal 1 David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol, Clive Allen and Alex Inglethorpe had come and gone but since 1999 no-one had been able to get the better of Arsene Wenger. That all changed in emphatic style in this League Cup semi-final, as Juande Ramos took a huge step towards a trophy.



Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon, and Steed Malbranque ran in the goals for the home side, with Nicklas Bendtner adding to Arsenal’s humiliation with an own-goal. The match ended with Bendtner rowing with William Gallas and Arsenal humiliated. 7/10 29 October 2008, Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4 14 goals in two derbies made for a thrilling return for fans at 2008’s derbies and Tottenham left feeling much the better after both games. In one of Harry Redknapp’s first games in charge his side came from 4-2 down after 88 minutes to cap an unforgettable draw.



Arsenal had already dragged themselves back into the contest, overcoming David Bentley’s spectacular early strike to lead 3-1. When Robin van Persie scored just seconds after Darren Bent to make the score 4-2 it seemed Wenger’s side were on course for a comfortable win.



But then Jermaine Jenas curled in to revive Spurs’ hopes and Aaron Lennon tapped in from a deflected Luka Modric shot that had hit the post. It was little surprise that this would go on to be nominated as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever games. 8/10 14 April 2010, Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1 Spurs fans had been waiting since 1999 to beat Arsenal at White Hart Lane in the league. Danny Rose set them on their way with a spectacular rocket of an opening strike but it was Gareth Bale, scorer of the second, who shone brightest in the derby.



That this victory also ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the title only made it sweeter for Spurs. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 9/10 20 April 2011, Tottenham 3 Arsenal 3 Only one side felt like winners at the end of this engrossing draw. Once more Arsenal's title ambitions took a hammer blow from Spurs in the final months of the season as the Gunners threw away a 3-1 advantage earned by Theo Walcott (whose strike was swiftly followed by a Rafael van der Vaart equalizer), Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie.



Tom Huddlestone thumped a strike past Wojciech Szczesny on the stroke of half-time before the goalkeeper brought down Aaron Lennon in the 70th minute. Van Der Vaart scored from the spot. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 10/10 26 February 2012, Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 With the Gunners 2-0 down at home to their greatest rivals the pressure on Arsene Wenger seemed unbearable. Had Spurs held on they would have been 13 points clear of Arsenal in third but their hosts somehow clawed their way from despair to ecstasy.



Bacary Sagna’s powerful header restored hope, Robin van Persie brought them level with a perfect curler. In the second half an early goal Tomas Rosicky and two from Theo Walcott turned the Emirates into dreamland. That Arsenal would somehow claim third from such a poor position made this victory all the sweeter. 1/10 3 May 1971, Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1 On the final day of the season Bertie Mee’s side needed at least a draw to claim the title against a Tottenham side that had claimed that season’s League Cup. A tight, nervy affair was not settled until the 88th minute.



Pat Jennings, who would move down the Seven Sisters Road in 1977, blocked John Radford’s initial shot but Ray Kennedy was on hand to head in the goal that secured Arsenal’s title. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 2/10 1 January 1985, Arsenal 1 Tottenham 2 Tottenham's best shot at a title charge since they won the First Division in 1961 saw a famous victory at Highbury that saw them maintain their advantage at the top of the table with Glenn Hoddle in exceptional form.



Tony Woodcock earned a surprise lead for the hosts but Spurs kept coming, goals from Garth Crooks and Mark Falco securing the win.



Spurs would ultimately miss out to Everton in their title bid but this forever remains a famous victory for a great Tottenham side. Steve Powell/Allsport 3/10 14 April 1991, Tottenham 3 Arsenal 1 There had never been a North London Derby at such a late stage of the FA Cup before. Arsenal were targeting a double, mid-table Spurs were in their way.



The match will always be remembered for Paul Gascoigne’s howitzer of a free-kick after just five minutes, one of the great Wembley goals. Gary Lineker got the other two goals for Spurs, with Alan Smith claiming Arsenal’s consolation in a disappointing day for George Graham’s side. They would go on to win the league, but their rivals had snatched the cup from them. 4/10 25 April 2004, Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2 Arsenal meted out the ultimate humiliation on Tottenham fans, who were forced to watch on as Arsene Wenger's Invincibles secured the point they needed to win the title at White Hart Lane.



Visiting Arsenal fans were in dreamland after 35 minutes as Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires scored the goals; their mood was hardly worsened in spite Jamie Redknapp's strike and even a last-minute penalty from Robbie Keane that denied the champions a victory. ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images 5/10 13 November 2004, Tottenham 4 Arsenal 5 The highest-scoring north London derby of the Premier League era saw Arsenal come out on top again at the Lane, seven months on from their title celebrations.



Noureddine Naybet had volleyed Tottenham into an early lead only for Thierry Henry to level on the stroke of half-time. From there the Gunners cut loose.



Lauren and Patrick Vieira made it 3-1, Freddie Ljungberg cancelled out Jermain Defoe's strike for 4-2, Ledley King added intrigue with the game's seventh, before Robert Pires hit a fifth for Arsenal. Freddie Kanoute's goal prompted a nail-biting finale for both sides. Ian Walton/Getty Images 6/10 22 January 2008, Tottenham 5 Arsenal 1 David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol, Clive Allen and Alex Inglethorpe had come and gone but since 1999 no-one had been able to get the better of Arsene Wenger. That all changed in emphatic style in this League Cup semi-final, as Juande Ramos took a huge step towards a trophy.



Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon, and Steed Malbranque ran in the goals for the home side, with Nicklas Bendtner adding to Arsenal’s humiliation with an own-goal. The match ended with Bendtner rowing with William Gallas and Arsenal humiliated. 7/10 29 October 2008, Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4 14 goals in two derbies made for a thrilling return for fans at 2008’s derbies and Tottenham left feeling much the better after both games. In one of Harry Redknapp’s first games in charge his side came from 4-2 down after 88 minutes to cap an unforgettable draw.



Arsenal had already dragged themselves back into the contest, overcoming David Bentley’s spectacular early strike to lead 3-1. When Robin van Persie scored just seconds after Darren Bent to make the score 4-2 it seemed Wenger’s side were on course for a comfortable win.



But then Jermaine Jenas curled in to revive Spurs’ hopes and Aaron Lennon tapped in from a deflected Luka Modric shot that had hit the post. It was little surprise that this would go on to be nominated as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever games. 8/10 14 April 2010, Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1 Spurs fans had been waiting since 1999 to beat Arsenal at White Hart Lane in the league. Danny Rose set them on their way with a spectacular rocket of an opening strike but it was Gareth Bale, scorer of the second, who shone brightest in the derby.



That this victory also ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the title only made it sweeter for Spurs. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 9/10 20 April 2011, Tottenham 3 Arsenal 3 Only one side felt like winners at the end of this engrossing draw. Once more Arsenal's title ambitions took a hammer blow from Spurs in the final months of the season as the Gunners threw away a 3-1 advantage earned by Theo Walcott (whose strike was swiftly followed by a Rafael van der Vaart equalizer), Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie.



Tom Huddlestone thumped a strike past Wojciech Szczesny on the stroke of half-time before the goalkeeper brought down Aaron Lennon in the 70th minute. Van Der Vaart scored from the spot. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 10/10 26 February 2012, Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 With the Gunners 2-0 down at home to their greatest rivals the pressure on Arsene Wenger seemed unbearable. Had Spurs held on they would have been 13 points clear of Arsenal in third but their hosts somehow clawed their way from despair to ecstasy.



Bacary Sagna’s powerful header restored hope, Robin van Persie brought them level with a perfect curler. In the second half an early goal Tomas Rosicky and two from Theo Walcott turned the Emirates into dreamland. That Arsenal would somehow claim third from such a poor position made this victory all the sweeter.

“The thing with the Premier League, especially this year, is there are so many good teams,” Bellerin said, speaking at the launch of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. “The fight is so tight up there. We know it’s going to be hard but we have a team of winners and we’re going to do our best.”

Like his team-mates, the Catalan is inspired to win the Premier League for Wenger. The Frenchman’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the campaign and winning the league may help persuade the 67-year-old to remain in the job.

“Everyone at the club wants him to stay,” Bellerin said. “He’s a brilliant manager and he’s shown that through the years. He’s done so much for the players and we want to repay him with the title. That’s what’s in our sights. I’m sure he’d be happy if we did but we all hope he’s going to stay here longer.”

Wenger’s future is still in question but Bellerin’s seems clear at the moment. For that, at least, Arsenal fans can be grateful.

Hector Bellerin was speaking at the launch of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare which is available now on PS4, XB1 & PC. Infinite Warfare boasts three modes; campaign, multiplayer and zombies. For information, visit callofduty.com/uk