Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has dismissed the notion that Tottenham Hotspur have underachieved this season ahead of Sunday's North London derby.

Spurs spent in excess of £100m in the summer transfer window, yet sit six points off the top four in the Premier League.

Furthermore, Tim Sherwood's troops lie on the brink of Europa League elimination after slumping to a 3-1 home defeat to Benfica on Thursday.

However, Wenger feels that the Lilywhites have enjoyed a good season thus far and backs the likes of Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela to repay their transfer fees eventually.

"I still think it takes always time when you bring in many new players, but you cannot say Spurs have had a bad season; they have had a good season and they are there," he told a news conference.

"They have just like everyone else - like we have - gone through good and bad periods."

Tomorrow's clash at White Hart Lane is expected to kick off at 4pm.