Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident they can handle a Harry Redknapp-inspired Tottenham tonight. "I believe what is important is how well Arsenal will play and not who sits on the bench at Tottenham," the Arsenal manager said.

"We have put a run together and that has strengthened out belief.

"We want now to go from strength to strength - we have come back to an interesting position in the league and we are highly convinced that it will be down to our strengths tomorrow more than anything else."

Wenger rejected the notion Wednesday's encounter was now a different contest following Redknapp's appointment, with his side out to prove a point having been beaten 5-1 at White Hart Lane in last season's Carling Cup semi-final second leg - a first defeat against their fierce rivals in 21 games.

He said: "I believe if there is one game that is a bit special, it is Tottenham versus Arsenal so I don't think that will change a lot.

"Certainly in the longer term future it will change things for Tottenham, the fact that Harry has taken over, but I believe Wednesday's game s more about how well we will play and I believe that is more important than anything else.

"I am very confident because we have a very strong united spirit in the dressing room and we want to do well.

"We have shown that in recent games, we won at Fenerbahce, we won at West Ham, we have beaten Everton in a convincing way and we want to keep that going."