Former Arsenal striker says Spurs are now the best team in North London

Former Arsenal striker Niall Quinn has stated he believes there has been a power-shift in North London from the previously dominant Gunners to the newly-resurgent Spurs.

The 50-year-old’s comments followed the 4-0 hammering of Watford by Mauricio Pochettino’s men at White Hart Lane on Saturday which kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea at the top of the table.

The second-placed side initially closed the gap between themselves and the Blues to four points, however the Stamford Bridge outfit restored their seven point buffer after a 3-1 win at Bournemouth just hours later.

But the impressive victory against the Hornets increased Tottenham’s cushion over their bitter rivals Arsenal to 14 points – with Arsene Wenger’s men holding two games in hand.

The white half of North London could confirm a first league finish above the Gunners in 22 years when the two clash at White Hart Lane at the end of this month, and Quinn believes it has been expected for some time.

“[A Spurs derby win] could really rubber stamp them and nail down Tottenham’s superiority over Arsenal that’s been coming”, the former striker told Sky Sports.

“We’ve all felt it coming over the last period of time.

“If it ended Arsenal’s top four hopes, what a double whammy that would be for Spurs fans and that could very well be the case.

“There’s been a shift in power in north London over the last year or so. Arsenal fans are getting restless with their manager but Spurs fans, the joy they have watching their team, they can’t believe what’s happening there.”

The ex-talisman – who made 67 appearances for the Gunners netting 14 times over a seven-year period, believes that Spurs’ success is not just down to their talented squad, but also thinks boss Pochettino has been crucial in the rise of the Champions League contenders in instilling a high-tempo philosophy.

“Their manager deserves most of the credit”, the former Republic of Ireland international said.

“Dele Alli makes it look easy, you’ve got the goals of Harry Kane but when you’ve got Kieran Trippier coming in and playing like he did against Watford and when you look at other players in the team, and the defence he has, he’s put a crack team together.

“Seven clean sheets [in that 11-game winning home run]. That’s the bit we don’t talk an awful lot about – but the defence and goalkeeper are different class.

“To turn this football club upside down the way he has, I’m full of admiration, full of praise for Mauricio Pochettino.

“It’s about coming here knowing you’re going to see a work rate from his team. Great skill, great ability, but it’s that work rate and pulse they play with. He’s responsible for it and I’d give him most of the plaudits.”

Tottenham will hope they can continue their excellent run of recent form and extend their unbeaten home run to 12 consecutive matches when they face Bournemouth next Saturday.