Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino is happy with Spurs form ahead of Arsenal showdown

Mauricio Pochettino has said that he is pleased with Tottenham's form after watching his side snatch a 2-1 Europa League win against Anderlecht at White Hart Lane. Moussa Dembele struck a sublime late winner - after Imoh Ezekiel had cancelled out Harry Kane's opener - to give Spurs a third straight victory in all competitions.

Tottenham were far from their best on 5 November, but Pochettino hailed the character shown by his players in grabbing the three points against the Belgian visitors. "Football is not easy, sometimes you have to suffer and it's impossible to play well in every game," Pochettino told Tottenham's official website.

"On Monday, we had a tough game against Aston Villa and it's not easy to play every two days. I'm very pleased with the effort. The way Anderlecht played put us in a difficult situation but the way we competed and showed character is the way we need to take and follow," he added.

"Our objective before the game was to take the three points and to go top of the table. But now we need to focus, there is no time to think too much because in two days we need to play the North London derby and we know this is a very important game for us," the Argentine stressed.

'Must continue good form'

Spurs are unbeaten in the league since losing at Manchester United on opening day and Dembele, who has scored in his last three games for Spurs, said the squad was in confident mood ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

"The team is playing well and, for me, I'm scoring a lot, so I'm very happy about that," he said.

"Overall, I'm very happy with the win tonight and we now need to take that on and continue our good form in the Premier League. Now this game is finished, Arsenal is immediately our main focus. From tonight we will start our preparations and start thinking about Sunday, which is another very important match," he explained.

Tottenham have failed to win on their last four visits to the Emirates, with their last win at the home of their arch rivals coming in November 2010.