• Premier League

Derby clash more important for Arsenal - Defoe

ESPN staff
February 23, 2012
Defoe has scored just once for Spurs against Arsenal © PA Photos
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Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe believes that Sunday's north London derby is a bigger game for Arsenal than it is for Spurs.

The Gunners, enduring arguably their toughest campaign under Arsene Wenger, are currently locked in a battle for fourth place in the Premier League with Chelsea and are all but out of the Champions League after their humiliating 4-0 first-leg defeat by AC Milan at the San Siro.

In contrast, Harry Redknapp's side are ten points clear of both Chelsea and Arsenal in third place while playing some of the most attractive football in the league. They head to the Emirates with just one defeat in their last 15 matches, all of which Defoe believes puts the pressure firmly on an Arsenal side desperate for three points at home.

"It means more to Arsenal than us because of the way things have gone for them this season," said Defoe. "It's been a campaign of ups and downs for them. They didn't start too well, then picked up and have had a little blip again."

Arsene Wenger's side have long been considered the strongest team in north London but Spurs could complete a first league double over the Gunners in nearly 20 years with victory on Sunday.

Harry Redknapp's men beat their rivals 2-1 at home in October, and Defoe is confident that Spurs have what it takes to tip the power balance towards White Hart Lane.

"It's going to be a difficult game but I'm confident, obviously, with the way we're playing," he said. "We've got a really strong squad now and everyone's playing well.

"Everyone's firing and team spirit is fantastic which I think is always important if you want to try to achieve something. We've got a great chance to go there and get three points."

Wenger's side could count themselves unlucky in the reverse fixture after controlling the game for long spell before falling to Kyle Walker's stunning strike 17 minutes from time.

And Defoe, who is likely to start on the bench with Emmanuel Adebayor recovering from a twisted knee in time to face his former club, admits his colleagues will be wary of an Arsenal backlash after their FA Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland on Saturday.

"You can't write Arsenal off. In football it's always the next game, you can change it in the next one," he added. "And I think, playing against us, it'll be a different Arsenal from what people have seen over the last few weeks."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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