Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists David Bentley is not the troublemaker he is perceived to be and is backing him to come good this weekend against Arsenal.

The former Blackburn winger is set to win a run in Spurs' starting line-up with Aaron Lennon facing a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Bentley has failed to live up to expectations following his move to White Hart Lane, scoring just once in the Premier League in his debut season.

Redknapp knows a lot of questions have been asked of the winger, although he believes the 25-year-old will rise to the challenge against Arsenal.

Bentley impressed against Everton in the Carling Cup in midweek and Redknapp hopes the ex-Gunners man will shine at the Emirates Stadium.

"Plenty of questions have been asked about Bentley but he gave some of the answers against Everton and I'm hoping there will be more answers in tomorrow's North London derby at Arsenal," Redknapp told The Sun.

"There's no doubt Bentley has balls - plenty of 'em - and his performance during our 2-0 Carling Cup win on Tuesday night was worth its weight in gold.

"What Tottenham need now is more of the same from Bentley and I can't think of a better place for him to do it than at one of his former clubs.

"It's not been easy for David of late. There was his well-publicised brush with the law on a motoring offence and, by his own admission, he's not been pushing Aaron Lennon hard enough for the right-wing position - until Tuesday night that is.

"A lot of people also have completely the wrong idea of what he is like to deal with. I can tell you he is a decent lad.

"Sure he's a good-looking young man and has talent in shedloads but he is not the flash Herbert some try to make him out to be.

"Not so long ago, he was being tipped as David Beckham's successor on the right wing for England but now young Lennon is in possession of that place.

"What my team will need at the Emirates is Bentley supplying plenty of those quality crosses to put the Arsenal defence under pressure."