Harry Redknapp has told his Tottenham Hotspur players to show no fear when they play Arsenal on Sunday. The 144th North London derby promises to be more absorbing than usual, with Robbie Keane expected to play for Spurs for the first time since returning from Liverpool in a £16 million deal. Andrey Arshavin will also be at White Hart Lane, probably in the stands, after moving to Arsenal from Zenit St Petersburg for £12 million.

“I think we have a chance at home and it’s probably a decent time to play Arsenal,” Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, said. “They are a top team, but at the moment their record tells you that they are not playing as well as they did last year.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in ten Barclays Premier League matches but are a shadow of the side that were leading the table 12 months ago.

Injuries to key players, such as Cesc Fàbregas and Theo Walcott, have threatened to derail Arsenal’s season and Arsène Wenger’s team, who are fifth, have a fight on their hands to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“No way are Arsenal a club in crisis,” Redknapp said. “They are a fantastic club and have made a great signing in Arshavin. Of course it would be a big lift for everyone around the club if we could beat Arsenal. They have still got some fantastic players, so it is going to be a tough game.”

Tottenham have lost six of their 14 top-flight matches since the 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium in October and Redknapp’s team are only one point above the relegation zone. Pascal Chimbonda is likely to play at White Hart Lane for the first time since returning from Sunderland for £3 million last week. “I know if we play well we can beat them,” the right back said. “We have so many good players.”

The Premier League board meeting in London yesterday did not discuss why Arshavin’s move to Arsenal was confirmed almost 24 hours after the transfer window closed on Monday. “It was not on the agenda,” Paul Duffen, the Hull City chairman, said. “The Premier League are comfortable with the way it was processed.”