Despite propping up the Premier League table going into tonight's visit of Arsenal, Asmir Begovic has urged his Portsmouth team-mates not to feel sorry for themselves. David James's understudy is convinced Avram Grant's side are better than their league position suggests and believes they are capable of beating anybody at Fratton Park.

"We know we are a decent side and shouldn't be in the position we are but we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and take games to people," said the goalkeeper. "We have to take control of our own destiny and move up that table."

The 22-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international is enjoying his first sustained run in the first team since joining the club in 2006 and has started all but one game under Grant as James struggles to recover from a calf strain.

He has kept three clean sheets in the six games he has started since returning from a six-week loan spell at Ipswich Town and reports suggest Harry Redknapp, the man who brought him to England from his adopted Canada as a teenager, will move to bring the 6ft 5in goalkeeper to Tottenham Hotspur next month as cover for Heurelho Gomes.

However, after defeat at home to Manchester United and the 2-0 victory over Liverpool, Begovic is focused on the visit of yet another member of the Big Four to Fratton Park: "We know Arsenal is going to be difficult, no matter how well or badly they are playing.

"They have great players but we're at home. We've beaten Liverpool and have given Man United a good game there so if we can repeat that we can get some points," he said.

"I'd be happy if it was like the Liverpool game – not having a save to make. I'd take that any day of the week. We know they are dangerous and we have to be switched on at all times."