Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he is concerned by Granit Xhaka's disciplinary record ahead of Sunday's north London derby at home to Tottenham.

The Switzerland midfielder is in line to play against the Gunners' fierce local rivals for the first time, with Santi Cazorla likely to be still sidelined with an Achilles problem.

Xhaka, 24, has picked up eight red cards for club and country since April 2014 and is returning from a domestic ban following his dismissal in last month's 3-2 win over Swansea.

He scored his first Champions League goal as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to beat Ludogorets in Sofia on Tuesday night and progress into the last 16 for the 17th straight season.

But the number of cards collected by the £35million summer recruit is a worry for Wenger as Arsenal look for a first home Premier League win over Spurs in three years.

"Am I bit concerned? Yes, of course," he said when asked if Xhaka's record was an issue.

"The discipline is important and we want to be effective in all situations we face and in the derby it is important to keep control of your reaction and to have a strong discipline, because it is part of the effectiveness in these games.

"Normally he is a very composed and calm guy. Sometimes on the field he has a reaction that is a bit impulsive and he knows that.

"It is not because you talk about that. He has to work on that and keep control of his reactions in the game."

Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jordan Pickford – 5 out of 10 He was kept busy from the off, but he just didn’t have what was required – as reflected by the four Arsenal goals. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Billy Jones – 5 out of 10 Did his job at the back, but it wasn’t enough against the pacey of the Arsenal attackers. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings John O’Shea – 6 out of 10 He was leading by example and captaining his side appropriately, until he went off with a hamstring injury. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Lamine Kone – 5 out of 10 The centre-back worked hard, but a number of his tackles were mistimed and unnecessary. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Patrick van Aanholt – 6 out of 10 Lost possession a number of times, but on the whole, he done well and we saw glimpses of brilliance from him. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jack Rodwell – 5 out of 10 Had a quiet performance by a man of his standards and ability – he should have done more. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Steven Pienaar – 5 out of 10 Failed to provide anything in the attacking third and gave away too many fouls. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Didier Ndong – 6 out of 10 He was a strong element to the Sunderland side – he was tackling well and done well with possession. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Wahbi Khazri – 5 out of 10 After showing early sights of skill and trickery that was beating the Arsenal players, this fizzed out and he was kept out of the game by the Gunners. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Duncan Watmore – 7 out of 10 He was one of the best Sunderland players today, showing his pace down the wing and his eye for creativity. He also did well to win the penalty. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jermain Defoe – 6 out of 10 Despite his late goal, he had a very quiet performance by his standards and was uninvolved throughout. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Petr Cech – 6 out of 10 Had very little to do throughout, but when he was called on – he done the job. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin – 6 out of 10 Showed his attacking prowess throughout as he bombed down the flanks and was regularly called upon to whip a ball into the dangerzone. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi – 6 out of 10 Worked well at the back – he maintained possession well and defended effectively. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 7 out of 10 A typical Koscielny performance. He ran the line well, defended well and dominated at the back. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Keiran Gibbs – 7 out of 10 He attacked very well today and was regularly used down the left wing. His crosses were causing problems for Sunderland. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mohamed Elneny – 6 out of 10 Did his job in the middle of the park. He passed well and created chances. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin – 6 out of 10 Battled very well throughout and won a number of fouls in the middle of the park. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7 out of 10 Recalling the Ox today was the correct decision from Wenger – he worked hard, passed well and battled throughout. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil – 6 out of 10 His creativity was faultless as per usual – but should have done better in front of goal himself. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi – 5 out of 10 He worked well with Gibbs down the left hand side, but was poor in possession from time to time. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 9 out of 10 An all-round fantastic performance from the 27 year old. His attacking play was impeccable and he deserved his two goals. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Tottenham have yet to finish above Arsenal since Wenger took over 20 years ago, but they came closest to doing so last term.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were in the title race for much of the campaign but, having lost out to Leicester, they then fell to third behind Arsenal on the last day after a 5-1 defeat at relegated Newcastle.

Spurs are unbeaten in the league this season and sit three points behind Arsenal, who are level on points at the top with Manchester City and Liverpool.

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And Wenger is anticipating another tight derby after both of last season's meetings ended in draws.

"It is an interesting clash because for us it is a very important game because we are in a strong position in the league that we want to strengthen," he said.

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"Overall Tottenham as well, so it is very tight at the top of the league. We are more focused that it is a home game, to win the game - whether it is Tottenham or somebody else.

"We want to win our home games because our position in the league is very important and we go into a period where we play big games and we want to win the big games."

Arsenal have the momentum after qualifying for the Champions league last-16 (Getty)

Wenger is waiting on a quintet of players to overcome injuries and prove their fitness ahead of the clash.

Theo Walcott, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Santi Cazorla all missed the win in Bulgaria and face fitness tests.

Of those four, Walcott is the closest to making it into contention to face Spurs, while Cazorla is a doubt having not trained all week.

Kieran Gibbs may also miss out after he suffered a shoulder injury in the victory over Ludogorets, while Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud will be hopeful of retaining their places.