Saturday’s North London derby already had added spice because Tottenham Hotspur are realistically positioned to usurp Arsenal’s place among the top four.

But the encounter has become tastier still with Robbie Keane claiming that not only are Spurs on a par with their big rivals, but that they have a more impressive squad.

“If you look at the last four or five years, for some reason Arsenal just always got ahead of us slightly,” Keane said. “But if you look now, I think it’s certainly even and if you look at the squad maybe, the bench that we have, I think that our bench is probably a little bit stronger than their bench.”

Spurs are level on points with Arsène Wenger’s side and their thrilling 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium last season came at the start of Harry Redknapp’s tenure and laid down a marker that Spurs’ fortunes would drastically change. Redknapp started by hauling his side out of the relegation zone and now has a Champions League place in his sights.

“With the squad of players that we have, we’re capable of getting to that fourth spot and that’s something that we certainly have to be looking at, but by no means is it going to be easy,” Keane said. “It’s certainly going to be difficult with the teams that are around us but we’ve got every chance.”

It is vital, according to the Spurs striker, that the club change mentality and aim higher. “The feel of the club was that they’d be happy to get fifth or seventh, [and a place] in the Uefa Cup, but I think there’s a different feeling now,” Keane said. “We want to get into the Champions League.”

At the Emirates, Keane will be part of a mini-dress rehearsal for Ireland’s forthcoming World Cup qualification play-off against France as the Arsenal side boasts a clutch of France players.

“We know exactly what they can do,” he said. “It’s a game that the whole of Ireland is looking forward to; I certainly am. It will be a great occasion, and it would be even better if we could qualify.”

Keane scored for Spurs in their 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Everton on Tuesday night. That he was fortunate to do so was clear from the way he crossed himself repeatedly afterwards. He won a penalty but his spot kick was weak and pushed away by Tim Howard, and only shoddy defending enabled him to score from close range.

“I changed my mind at the last second,” he said. “Usually the ’keeper saves it and holds on to it but I was lucky enough to get the rebound.”

• Mark Clattenburg will take charge of the North London derby on Saturday. The referee was at the centre of controversy during Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat away to Manchester City in September. The match was marred by Emmanuel Adebayor’s stamp on Robin van Persie, the Arsenal forward, which was not seen by Clattenburg. After reviewing video evidence, the FA banned the City forward for three matches.