Michael Dawson
Dawson already has his eye on Tottenham's August clash with Arsenal. (Reuters)

Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson already has his sights on some early season revenge over Arsenal.

The north London rivals were embroiled in an intense skirmish for the remaining Champions League spot towards the end of last season, where the Gunners eventually beat their neighbours to the spot on the final day of the season.

The great rivals won't have long to wait before recommencing battle with the first north London derby of the 2013/14 campaign pencilled in for the weekend of the 31 August at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger's side helped themselves to 5-2 victories in their two previous league games against Spurs in the red half of north London, despite the away side taking an early lead on both occasions.

Following the release of William Gallas, Michael Dawson would appear to be in the incumbent Spurs skipper, and the 28-year-old is eager to avenge their derby woes against Arsene Wenger's side at the first chance of asking.

"We know what the game means to everyone," Dawson told the club's official website.

"The Emirates hasn't been great to us recently but that's history now, hopefully we'll go there early in the season and get a positive result."

Tottenham's are yet to foray into the transfer market, despite being linked with a number of names as they seek to address the problems that led to their Champions League hopes derailing.

But the club have made one significant addition to their set up, enlisting the services of former England assistant manager Franco Baldini as their new technical director.

The 52-year-old will take charge of the club's recruitment operations, working alongside Andre Villas-Boas and chairman Daniel Levy to bring new players to the club after leaving his role of general director at Roma.

While Baldini's appointment will bring fresh impetus to who Tottenham will be bringing to White Hart Lane this summer, much of the focus so far has been on who will be leaving.

Gareth Bale has been perhaps the most talked about player this summer, but despite persistent speculation suggesting a move to Real Madrid is on the cards, Villas-Boas remains unworried.

"We have the pledge of the chairman (Levy) that Bale is not going to leave the club," the Portuguese manager was quoted as saying on Thursday.