Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says he did not have any contact with Arsenal about replacing Unai Emery before taking the Spurs job.
Mourinho, 56, was reported to have met Arsenal's head of football Raul Sanllehi earlier this month as Emery's position began to come under threat.
"When it was written that I was in a meeting with Mr Sanllehi, it was not true," Mourinho said.
Spurs will host the Gunners at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late April.
"I look forward to playing against Arsenal. I want to play against Arsenal. I know what it means for our fans," Mourinho said.
"But with Mauricio or Emery or Freddie Ljungberg or whoever else, that's no problem.
"I know the big ones and I know that's a big one. Not just because Arsenal is a big club that fights for the same objectives as we do. But also I know the meaning. And I like it."
