Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor hopes to start today's North London derby against Arsenal.

Adebayor - who has started the previous two games for Spurs - is relishing the prospect.

He said: "We beat them 2-1 at home last season and went there, went 2-0 up but ended up losing 5-2. We knew Arsenal could be very good at home but this is another season.

"I don't think this specific match will be important for a Champions League spot. We can win 5-0 today and then lose against Wigan, so it would make no difference. But we certainly want to finish ahead of them.

"It will not be an easy game. We know Arsenal are going through difficult moments right now and they will make it tough for us. We have to be ready and focus from the first minute to the last.

"Arsenal are at home, so the pressure will be bigger. If we score the first goal, the home fans will jump on their back.

"When Arsenal do not play with any confidence, they are terrible. But when they are playing with confidence, they are very difficult.

"I had a chance to score a lot of goals for Arsenal and now I am playing for Tottenham. I still have some good memories from my time at Arsenal. But now I am at Spurs. All our players are really looking forward to it.

"It has been a difficult start to the season. I signed at the last minute, I was not really fit enough and I have been on the bench for a lot of games.

"I was trying to find a way back and I got two or three injuries on my hamstring, on my back - it was tough. Now, slowly but surely, I am getting fitter and fitter. Everything is looking good."