Spurs seek milestone win over Arsenal

Although Arsenal have won eight and drawn four of the last 12 cup and league matches against Spurs since their last defeat in November 1999, Dutch coach Martin Jol has instilled a new-found sense of optimism among them.

Spurs have lost only one of their opening 10 League matches— 2-0 to Chelsea two months ago — and even the normally cautious Jol is encouraged by their bright start.

Jol is now building a new side around young English players like England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Michael Carrick, Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas, but admits his re-structuring work is far from finished.

“I think that we are getting better and better,” he said after Spurs came from behind to force a 1-1 draw at Manchester United last Saturday.

Arsenal, though suffering from injuries, are still formidable opponents. Despite Robert Pires’s bizarre penalty miss last week against Manchester City, they still won the match 1-0. They won five of their last six league and cup matches with their young reserves thumping Sunderland 3-0 in the League Cup on Tuesday to underline their considerable depth of talent.

Sol Campbell’s return to action after three matches add more depth and strength to the team.

If Sol plays as expected, he should add some much-needed stability to the Arsenal defence.

Saturday’s match represents something of a marker in judging how far the Spurs have really advanced in the last year. It is another huge test for the side after avoiding defeat at Old

Trafford last week.

Jol would have to do on Saturday without inspirational Edgar Davids who is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Old Trafford.

If Spurs should finally end Arsenal’s long period of domination, it will not necessarily confirm the dawn of a new golden era for them, but might well signal the end of nearly two decades of mediocrity and under-achievement in the blue-and-white half of North London.