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Arsenal "just another team" without Henry and Vieira

17/10/2005

Tottenham coach Martin Jol has dismissed north London rivals Arsenal as "just another team" without Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.

Jol saw his team go second in the Premiership at the weekend after beating Everton 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

And with Arsenal losing to West Brom, the Dutchman believes the pendulum could be swinging away from Highbury.

"Spurs were better than them and maybe one day we will be again," Jol told the Independent. "If we get a Thierry Henry or a Patrick Vieira then we will do the same as Arsenal."

Vieira has left a big hole in Arsenal's engine room since his summer transfer to Juventus, while Henry's injury has left Arsene Wenger's team lacking potency up front.

Already 14 points behind Chelsea, Wenger knows that mounting a serious challenge for the Premiership this season will require a remarkable turnaround after such a poor start.

The Frenchman has major injury worries and could be forced to recall Sol Campbell earlier than he would have preferred to bolster the squad for this week's Champions' League tie.

Henry is not expected back for another fortnight, while summer signing Aleksander Hleb and England full-back Ashley Cole will both be out for around two months.

Jol will get a chance to see just how far side Spurs team have come when they play host to the Gunners at the end of the month.

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