Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna looks on course to win his race against time to be fit for the North London derby on Sunday.

The 30-year-old, who still remains a doubt for the clash at the weekend, is increasingly confident that he will be able to prove his fitness in time ahead of the meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Frenchman missed out on the Gunners' 2-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with a knee problem.

Carl Jenkinson took Sagna's place at right-back on that occasion, but manager Arsene Wenger is keen to have his first-choice full-back available to directly face an in-form Gareth Bale.

Sagna broke his leg the last time he travelled to the White Hart Lane back in October 2011.

Spurs host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.