Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent has insisted that Mauricio Pochettino has to start Christian Eriksen in the North London derby on Sunday.

Eriksen, who was reportedly set on joining Real Madrid this summer, has only started one of Spurs' three Premier League games so far this season.

Pochettino's men came in for criticism last weekend following a 1-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United, during which Eriksen came off the bench.

When asked about whether the Dane deserved to play against Arsenal, Bent told GentingBet: "When Eriksen is on the pitch, he gives you that little bit of nous that they don't have when he is not on the pitch. He's got to play.

"Against Aston Villa, he changed the game. To be fair to Eriksen, he is not throwing his toys out the pram. He has got on with what he has needed to do and nobody can say that he hasn't.

"Every time he has been called upon, he has performed well. Of course, Spurs are in a tricky situation but when you have him, he has to play week in, week out. Right now, if he is fir and available, you have to play him."

Last season's fixture at the Emirates saw Arsenal, who were considered slight underdogs before the game, claim a thrilling 4-2 win over their rivals.

Unai Emery's team will also be looking to bounce back after suffering a convincing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Anfield last time out.