Kenny Dalglish believes that Gareth Bale will be the deciding factor in Tottenham Hotspur's clash with North London rivals Arsenal today.

Spurs host their local rivals with a chance to extend their lead over them to seven points in the Premier League, and Dalglish says that they will triumph largely because of Bale's talents.

"I reckon Spurs will beat Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday. There are two reasons for that: they're at home and they have Gareth Bale," Dalglish wrote in his column in The Mirror.

"He brings so much to the game: width, pace, power, control, finishing, crossing ability and he has the ability to change games. West Ham had started really well against Tottenham last Monday and then Bale popped up and scored [twice].

"I'm not sure I agree with those observers of the game who are claiming that Bale is now in the same class as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."

Bale has been in superb form for Spurs this season, scoring 15 goals.