Arsenal must win an “electric” north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur to issue a statement of intent to both their local rivals and other top-four contenders, goalkeeper Petr Cech has said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash.

The Premier League leaders, Manchester City, on Sunday extended their club record run winning 15 in all competitions by beating Arsenal 3-1to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

Manchester City were left with a healthy eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after second-placed Manchester United suffered a 1-0 loss away to champions Chelsea hours after the leaders saw off Arsenal 3-1 on Sunday.

Arsenal reached the Europa League last 32 Thursday as Everton crashed out and Patrice Evra was red-carded for a karate kick at one of his own Marseille fans — before the match had even started.

Arsenal celebrated Arsene Wenger’s 800th Premier League game as manager with a win but only after coming from a goal behind to beat Swansea City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.