Wenger says derby with improved Spurs an ‘opportunity’

ARSENE WENGER has been impressed by the “step forward” Tottenham have made under Martin Jol, but maintains Arsenal still have every reason to feel they are the pride of north London.

There has been many a false dawn at White Hart Lane heralding the return of the glory days, but since Jol took over following the ill-fated five-month reign of Jacques Santini, the Dutchman has slowly but surely turned Spurs into a competitive top-flight outfit once more.

Heading into today's lunchtime derby with the Gunners without Thierry Henry because of a "minor" injury setback it is Jol's men who currently sit ahead of their arch rivals in the Premiership.

"I know people expect us not to do well, but I know how strong the characters are in my team. This is a good opportunity to show how good we are. That is what you want in football," said the Frenchman, who has lost just one of the 19 derby clashes with Spurs since taking charge in September 1996.

"They have played 10 and we have played nine. We are top of our Champions League group and qualified in the Carling Cup, not everyone can say that. Also we are in a good waiting position in the league.

"There is a good pack between second and 12th, where no team has the upper hand. If you lose a game you will be 12th, if you win you will be second."

Wenger added: "After nine games you cannot come to any conclusions after 10 games further you can say a lot more."

The Arsenal boss felt Jol had "done extremely well" since stepping up to become manager in November last year, but declared: "You can praise what he has done without destroying Arsenal."

Wenger continued: "He has rebuilt the ambition, the hope and confidence in the club. That spreads out. I feel he has made a step forward, but to ignore what we have done in the last nine years straight away is too much.

"People forget that in the last nine years we have finished in the top two. You can see the consistency create the quality and you have to start somewhere."

As to whether Spurs have, under Jol, now finally got what it takes to mount a serious challenge for the game's top honours, Wenger mused: "Only time will tell. I suppose many Tottenham supporters rate their potential that makes it an interesting game on both camps. Our supporters are worried by that and the Tottenham supporters are anxious to see that."

Wenger added: "I feel this side is as strong as last year, if not stronger, and we'll see that during the season."

Henry is likely to be replaced in the starting lineup by a fit-again Jose Antonio Reyes, with midfielder Freddie Ljungberg and centre-half Sol Campbell also set to feature after shaking off their injury problems.

"I don't want to risk a bigger setback if Henry plays," said Wenger. "He could have played if really pushed, but it is so early in the season it is a risk we don't want to take. He does not feel comfortable and we have to respect that.

Meanwhile, Wenger feels "a little bit of belief has gone" from Chelsea in the wake of their Carling Cup exit.

Mourinho felt Chelsea "didn't lose the game" as the clash with Charlton technically ended in a draw after 120 minutes.

But Wenger maintained: "When you are out a cup, you lose. You can say 'we did not lose' but when you are out, you lose. The train goes on without you."