Rebrov was labelled an expensive flop soon after his arrival from Dynamo Kiev at the start of the season.

Despite a respectable five goals in his first 16 games, critics accused him of struggling to adapt to the physical demands of the Premiership.

He was also removed from the firing line for a spell by Graham before returning to hit his sixth goal of the campaign in a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane against Arsenal - a tally he has since doubled with five in his last six appearances.

Wenger said: "I also well recall him scoring a last-minute equaliser for Dynamo against us in a Champions League game at Wembley two years ago. So he has always been a problem to us.

"I always knew Rebrov was a great player and we certainly had an interest in signing him when it became apparent he would move from the Ukraine, but by that time we were on the trail of Sylvain Wiltord and already had Thierry Henry, Kanu and Dennis Bergkamp as well.

"Rebrov started slowly for Tottenham, but like all foreign players coming to the Premiership he needed a period of adaptation and George Graham realised that.

"I don't know if he was injured when he was left out a few times but all players, especially strikers, need to be rested from time to time.

"Now it looks like he has made a step forward and looks a top player again, and the two goals he scored to win the FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham showed that he's still a great finisher."

Despite Rebrov's return from a hamstring strain which kept him out of Spurs' 2-0 Premiership defeat at Highbury last Saturday, Wenger is convinced Arsenal will reach their second FA Cup final in four years by winning Sunday's game.

"Tottenham will have many good players back in the side who missed last week's match and that gives us different problems to solve," admitted Wenger.

"But if we concentrate on our own game and perform well I feel we should beat them again. "