Sunday 30 April 2017 15:45, UK
Player for player, Tottenham will be too strong for Arsenal in the Super Sunday north London derby, says Jamie Redknapp.
Tottenham can guarantee their first finish above Arsenal in 22 years with a win on Sunday - but I agree with Mauricio Pochettino, they need to be setting their targets higher than that now.
It will be a great moment for the Spurs supporters, to finally have the bragging rights over their neighbours. But they're a big club, with a talented team and manager and they need to have the big goal of the league title in their sights.
Tottenham are so close. They've already got 74 points this year - four more than they won last season - and they're in the ascendancy.
Defensively, they've only conceded 22 goals, they look solid and powerful in midfield and up front they've got the brilliant Harry Kane, supported by Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli.
However, like Arsene Wenger, I'd also reject the suggestion that there's been a power shift in north London. He is right - you can't say that after one year of Tottenham finishing above Arsenal that there's been a changing of the guard. It has to be a long-term thing.
But the worrying aspect for Wenger and the Arsenal supporters is that player for player, Tottenham seem to be a long way ahead.
Thierry Henry said the other day that only Alexis Sanchez would get into this current Tottenham XI. It's hard to argue with that. I'd suggest Laurent Koscielny could also be in contention. But the point stands: Arsenal have work to do in the transfer window this summer.
I've heard rumours that they are interested in signing Southampton's Virgil van Dijk and that's the sort of player Arsenal should be targeting.
However, they can't do what they've done in previous years, and just bring in one top player. There needs to be three or four, to really give this squad a lift for next season.
Arsenal still have the FA Cup final to come, and winning that trophy again will be a great achievement. But in 2017/18 Arsenal need to be back competing for the title. And Tottenham will be one of their chief competitors.
As for this weekend, it should be an interesting game, particularly with both teams potentially lining up with three at the back. I never thought I'd see Wenger go with that system but it just shows how many teams have taken it up this year.
The problem they'll have at White Hart Lane is that Tottenham play the system better than Arsenal do. If they go like-for-like, Spurs will come out on top.
I'm expecting plenty of goals and excitement in this one - and a Tottenham win.
That would be a good way to sign off the final north London derby at White Hart Lane. But you don't always get that romantic ending. I remember playing in the final game in front of the Spion Kop at Liverpool and losing 1-0!
Instead, I'm tipping a Tottenham win because they're stronger across the pitch and well ahead of their rivals in terms of performance levels this season. Worrying factors for Wenger.
