Jol: Gunners still one of best pound for pound

Tottenham boss Martin Jol insists Arsenal remain among the best “pound-for-pound” footballing teams in the Barclays Premiership despite their recent defeats.

The Gunners have lost consecutive matches against Bolton and Fulham, but will protect an unbeaten home record on Saturday when Spurs arrive at the Emirates Stadium.

Losing at Craven Cottage severely dented Arsenal’s hopes of rejoining the title race but Jol does not see Gunners counterpart Arsene Wenger as under pressure.

“I feel that Arsenal still have a great team,” said the Dutchman.

“Even this season they play probably the best football, pound for pound, if you look at their football.

“But results-wise if you don’t score your goals it’s difficult to win games, but I still feel they are fine at home.”

Spurs, too, have a poor away record and have not recorded a league victory on the road this season.

However, they have the chance to put their abysmal Highbury record behind them for the first north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite slipping 16 points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United, Jol believes Wenger is immune to pressure because of his record since being appointed 10 years ago.

Jol added: “If we talk about Wenger under pressure then that would be pressure. Maybe you could talk about me or eight other managers, but not about him.

“For the last six years he has played the best football in England. He has built a team with young players.

“Of course he invested a lot and you have to do that in England.

“He was brave enough to bring (Cesc) Fabregas and (Alexander) Hleb into the team.

“He is one of the few in Europe, and I could mention others but I won’t, who can combine results, football and playing attractively.”

It will be the first meeting between Jol and Wenger since their touchline row last season at Highbury when Spurs did not put the ball out of play when Gilberto appeared injured and Robbie Keane went on to score in the 1-1 draw.

Spurs have since made changes to their squad but Jol’s players are aware of the importance of victory against their rivals.

“It’s a new stadium, new players, but we all know how much it means to everybody,” said midfielder Teemu Tainio on the club’s official website, spurs.co.uk.

“I think we are ready. We know we have to get close to them because they are a good footballing team, so we have to prepare for that. I think we are confident of getting something from there.”

Jol’s side have been beaten only once in their last 14 games and will go level on points with their rivals with a win at the Emirates Stadium.

Ledley King has been suffering from a virus this week but should be fit to face the Gunners, while Jermaine Jenas is back in the squad.