Jenas eyeing Emirates triumph

Jenas eyeing Emirates triumph

Published Nov. 19, 2010 11:23 a.m. ET

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas is confident Tottenham can overcome bitter rivals Arsenal in Saturday's North London derby showdown.

The trip to Arsenal starts a crucial seven days for Tottenham with a key clash with Werder Bremen in the UEFA Champions League in midweek followed by a home game against Liverpool.

Jenas is relishing the prospect of playing in three massive games in the space of a week.

"It does not come much bigger for us. The next three games for us are against Arsenal, Werder Bremen and Liverpool next weekend and everyone in the squad is looking forward to the games," Jenas said.

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"Everyone is upbeat and has been training hard this week ahead of the Arsenal game.

"We had a bit of a blip against Bolton earlier this month but we bounced back against Blackburn and we have every confidence we can get a result against Arsenal.

"We are back attacking and scoring goals and we feel we can go to Arsenal and impose our game on them.

"It is a London derby and away to Arsenal does not come any bigger for the players and also for our fans."

Jenas admits it will be a tough task against Arsenal and he singled out Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas as two of the main dangermen to Tottenham's hopes of getting a positive result.

"Arsenal are a quality team and from watching Nasri for France against England the other night he showed he is in good form and obviously Fabregas is a brilliant player and those two are very influential players in their team.

Jenas has some good personal memories of playing at the Emirates having scored there in the Carling Cup semi-final of 2008 and also in the amazing 4-4 draw the season after.

However, the 27-year-old admits he would swap his goals for a win against Arsenal on their home patch.

"I have scored a few goals against Arsenal at the Emirates and I have some good goalscoring memories against them, but I would prefer some winning memories," noted Jenas.

Arsenal beat Spurs in the Carling Cup earlier this season and Jenas admits Saturday's showdown gives them the chance to put that result right.

"They beat us in the Carling Cup earlier this season after extra-time when a lot of players playing that night had not played a lot of football.

"This game gives us the chance to put one over on them and make up for that defeat and we will be doing everything we can to make our fans happy."

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