Arsenal need derby win to spark season - Ninemsn

Reeling from their worst start under Arsene Wenger, a north London derby could be exactly what the Gunners need - just like last season.

Arsenal trailed Tottenham by 10 points going into their last encounter in February but won 5-2, sparking a revival that led to a Champions League spot.

The Gunners again find themselves below Tottenham in the Premier League, sitting eighth with only 16 points from 11 matches - the lowest haul since Wenger arrived in 1996.

"Their position (in the league) is completely irrelevant," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said. "Last season they had a poor start and managed to clinch third spot by picking up points. You drop three points, you are condemned. This is the nature of the Premier League."

It has been 18 years since Tottenham finished above Arsenal.

"Arsenal have won trophies in recent times and they have qualified for the Champions League more often - that is where we want to be in the future," Villas-Boas said.

But even West Ham and West Bromwich Albion, as well as Everton, are ahead of the struggling north London teams after their erratic starts.

"Neither we nor Arsenal are where we want to be - the position in the league doesn't suit either of us," Villas-Boas said.

Tottenham will still be without midfielder Mousa Dembele due to a hip injury that has sidelined him for the past seven games, but winger Aaron Lennon could return from a hamstring problem.

Manchester United lead the league, two points ahead of Manchester City and a further point in front of Chelsea.

United head to Norwich emboldened by a comeback victory at Aston Villa last weekend which made it five straight wins since losing to Tottenham.

Villa face second-placed City after coming from behind to beat Tottenham last weekend. Third-placed Chelsea are searching for as first league win since also beating Tottenham, travelling to West Bromwich Albion after two draws and a loss.

At the other end of the standings, Queens Park Rangers remain without a win after 11 matches despite an expensive overhaul of the squad. The west Londoners host Southampton, one point behind.

Reading, the third team in the relegation zone, will also be hoping their quest for a first victory will end Saturday against fourth-placed Everton.

"Obviously we haven't won a game in 10 but we've got six points and six results, we could have had six wins because a draw can be a win very easily," Reading manager Brian McDermott said.

"We have been scoring goals so if we can keep being solid I know we are going to score goals."

Reading was the last team Liverpool beat before a run of three draws left the Reds languishing in 13th place.

On Saturday, Brendan Rodgers will come up against Wigan counterpart Roberto Martinez, whom he beat to the Liverpool manager's job in the offseason.

"I've got a lot of respect for Roberto ... our philosophies are on the same line in terms of how we want to work and he's done a terrific job, none more so than last season because Wigan beat Liverpool at Anfield," Rodgers said. "So I know it's going to be a tough game."

Swansea travel to Newcastle on Saturday, while Fulham host Sunderland in Sunday's only match and West Ham take on Stoke on Monday.