Wenger predicting derby victory

Wenger (left) is confident of beating Martin Jol's Tottenham

Arsene Wenger has boldly predicted Arsenal will beat Tottenham in Saturday's north London derby, despite his concerns about tiredness.

"I do not agree at all with the way the fixtures have been organised - it is a farce," said the Arsenal boss, whose side lost to Fulham in midweek.

"We play now a team who did not play in midweek, but we will beat them."

However, Arsenal will be without skipper Thierry Henry, who is still troubled by a neck injury.

Interview: Tottenham boss Martin Jol

Interview: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

The Frenchman missed the away defeat to Bolton last Saturday with the same problem and though he returned in midweek, he failed a fitness test on Friday.

Arsenal go into the game against Spurs on the back of two straight defeats, leaving them sixth in the Premiership, 16 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal play probably the best football, pound for pound Spurs boss Martin Jol

Former manager George Graham believes the team is suffering because it lacks experience and leadership.

"Arsenal have lost Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Edu, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp," said Graham.

"Don't try to tell me they're going to replace them with kids and get the same results.

"I don't think they lack hunger. They need a bit of leadership quality. I think you need three leaders. My back four were all winners.

"Thierry Henry is the club's talisman and only he can answer questions about himself. They looked up to Bergkamp; they looked up to Vieira and they miss that leadership quality."

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Despite Arsenal's struggles, Spurs boss Martin Jol believes their only problem has been taking their scoring chances.

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

"Even this season they play probably the best football, pound for pound.

"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."

Jol's side are yet to win away from home in the Premiership this season, while Arsenal are unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium.

However, victory over Chelsea in November, their first for 16 years, has given captain Ledley King belief.

"We've struggled for wins against the top sides in recent years and to get one against Chelsea was great for us," he said.

"We have gradually been getting closer to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and it has shown in games.

"If we have lost it has generally been by a single goal so now we need to turn these games into wins. We have done that against Chelsea this season and we feel we can do the same against Arsenal."