Wenger ready for biggest north London derby of all time
Wenger knows his side must beat Spurs at Highbury to stand a realistic chance of pipping their neighbors for the fourth Champions League spot.
Arsenal, in fifth position, are four points adrift of fourth-placed Spurs. The Gunners have four games left to play this season and their local rivals have three.
"Saturday is our biggest game of the season in the Premier League," Wenger told reporters on Friday. "You want to combine both, not killing your chance in the Champions League and beat Tottenham. "There was never a game where there was so much at stake for both teams."
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry told Friday's edition of the French sports daily L'Equipe that it would be an explosive affair. "It will be war at Highbury," said the France striker.
"An Arsenal vs. Tottenham match is a London derby, it's traditionally one of the more important games of the season."
No war
Wenger, however, was less strident.
"It is not a war, in terms of a war that people are killed, but yes there is a lot at stake," said Wenger.
"It is not easy because you want of course to win the game without harming our chances on Tuesday in what is another massive game for us," added the Frenchman referring to the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League semifinal with Villarreal.
"Your appetite grows when you are in a good position, it's always the same.
"Your imagination is free for everybody, the Tottenham supporters imagine what they want but the reality is we've just knocked Real Madrid out, we've just knocked Juventus out and have just beaten Villarreal (1-0) in the first leg, that's the reality.
"We want to take care of our future because of course we care about it. To take care of our future is to finish fourth in the Premier League. What happens after is a bonus."
Spurs could finish fourth and still not be in the Champions League if Arsenal win Europe's elite club competition.