Andros Townsend believes that the manner of Tottenham Hotspur's 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest will give them a timely morale boost ahead of Saturday's North London derby with Arsenal.

Spurs booked their place in the fourth round of the League Cup after coming from behind to beat Forest, with Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane scoring twice late on to seal their first win since August.

The Lilywhites renew hostilities with Arsenal this weekend, and Townsend says that tonight's victory will provide a much-needed tonic heading into the Emirates.

"We went a goal behind but we showed great spirit and the quality showed at the end of the game," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's a very important win. The performances have been okay, but the results have not been there, so it was good to get a morale-boosting win with the big game coming up on Saturday."

Jorge Grant initially fired Stuart Pearce's side ahead on 61 minutes, before Ryan Mason cancelled it out shortly after.

Saturday's clash kicks off at 5.30pm.