Left: Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Right: Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger

london (ap)

Tottenham spent about three times more than Arsenal this offseason and will still be the underdogs when they host their north London rival in the Premier League tomorrow.

Spurs have just one win from their first five matches despite spending almost £40 million on new players, while the Gunners are unbeaten and look likely to challenge for the title they last won in 2004.

It wasn't meant to be like this for Tottenham, which was outspent only by Manchester United and Liverpool in the offseason. The club was hoping to challenge Arsenal for a place in the top four of the Premier League but is already six points behind.

Even a draw with Arsenal could leave Tottenham still further off the top of the table since Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton, who are all tied with Arsenal on 10 points, are also in action tomorrow.

Leaders Liverpool are at Portsmouth, Chelsea host Blackburn, and Everton host Manchester United.

Desperate uncertainty

Uncertainty over coach Martin Jol's position and injuries to key players have hit Tottenham, leaving them even more desperate for a first win over their fierce rivals for eight years.

"This match means everything," Tottenham assistant manager Chris Hughton said. "Arsenal are still our biggest rivals and even though the makeup of the team has changed, whenever I hear them speak it's still the big game.

"Taking everything into account, it's a very big game for us."

Having lost their first two games to Sunderland and Everton, Tottenham seemed to have got over the early problems with a 4-0 win over Derby. But a 1-0 loss at Manchester United and a disappointing 3-3 draw with Fulham followed.

Players including Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon missed the start of the season because of injuries, but Bale and Dawson have returned and Spurs led 3-1 at Fulham before defensive mistakes let the home side back into the match.

England winger Lennon could be back in the team to face Arsenal, which could help Tottenham get three points in their quest to improve on two straight fifth-place finishes.

"At the end of the season we will see what happens," Jol said. "We want to make the supporters happy, and for them, it's a big game as well.

"For us, it is an important game to get the points."

Embarrassed

While Tottenham's board was embarrassed by the revelation that they had discussed hiring Sevilla coach Juande Ramos to replace Jol after the first two games, Arsenal have just signed Arsene Wenger to a new four-year contract to extend his 11-year stay.

Wenger has led Arsenal to three Premier League titles and seems set to defy preseason predictions that the sale of Thierry Henry to FC Barcelona would lead to his team's demise.

"I can help this team to improve and do well," said Wenger, who will take charge of his first match since extending his contract. "I have conditions here to work the way I love."

The Gunners scored two goals in the last six minutes to beat Fulham 2-1 in their opening match and trail Liverpool only on goal difference.