VD Vaart aim to help Spurs "Knock Arsenal off their perch"
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Spurs can topple Arsenal, claims Rafael van der Vaart
Meeting the new boss: Rafael van der Vaart with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp
Rafael van der Vaart claims he can help Tottenham finish above arch-rivals Arsenal this season. Spurs have been in the shadow of their north London neighbours for the best part of two decades. But transfer deadline-day signing Van der Vaart believes he can inspire his new side to turn the tables on them this term.
'Why not?' said the 27-year-old Holland midfielder, who was officially unveiled this afternoon after training with his team-mates for the first time.
'Arsenal have a great team also with a lot of young players but our squad is not worse than Arsenal's. 'I think we will have a chance to win against them and also, over the season, we can try to beat them.'
Rivals: Robin van Persie (third left) and Rafael van der Vaart (second right) will line-up against one another at the Emirates on November 20
Van der Vaart cannot wait to put his theory to the test in the north London derby, which could see him come up against Holland team-mate Robin van Persie.
'I already spoke with Robin and he said it is the greatest derby in the world,' Van der Vaart said. 'I'm looking forward to playing in the derby.'
As well as trying to topple Arsenal, the midfielder admitted he had something to prove to Real Madrid, who let him go for what seemed a bargain £8million on transfer deadline day.
Asked if he was keen to prove them wrong, he said: 'Yes, maybe. I hope. It would be a dream to win something with Tottenham.
Settling in: Van der Vaart joined the likes of Peter Crouch, Sandro, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Wilson Palacios in training at Spurs Lodge
But the move to Tottenham would seem to be the perfect fit for club and player. 'For me the most important thing will be to enjoy my football and to win something with this club. I don't want to look back at Real Madrid. For me that's in the past. Now I want to play.'
Van der Vaart was confident his best years were still ahead of him and revealed he hoped to make a similar impact in England to Dennis Bergkamp.
'For me, he is a real number 10, midfield, striker, in between,' said Van der Vaart, whose preferred position is also in the hole. He is like an idol for me.'
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp swooped for Van der Vaart in the dying moments of the transfer window in a deal that was not ratified until the following afternoon.
Van der Vaart revealed he had only '10 minutes' to make up his mind to move to White Hart Lane.
Interest: Sylvie van der Vaart
He added: 'I was calling my wife and I said, "We are going to London". She was a little bit shocked. But at the end, she was also happy and I was also happy.'
Van der Vaart's wife Sylvie is a Dutch model and television personality and she sparked just as much interest at his unveiling today as her husband.
'Of course my wife is famous, perhaps more famous than I am!' joked Van der Vaart when asked if he was prepared for her to be followed by the paparazzi.
'But we can handle that. We love to be in England; I think it's a great country. I always wanted to play in England.
Van der Vaart grew up on a caravan site and credits his upbringing for the determination he brings to his game.
'For me, it helped me because I was like a street fighter,' he said.
'You have to fight for your place.'
But, like many of his compatriots, he also has a reputation of being outspoken.
Asked if he could be a troublemaker, he said: 'No, no, no, no. I'm a nice guy.'
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every new players join spurs say the same thing again and again. so boring. focus on their own club better than commenting on other club.