Monday 1 May 2017 12:23, UK
Tottenham have firmly overtaken Arsenal as the dominant force in North London, with only Alexis Sanchez standing a chance of breaking into Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side, according to Stuart Pearce.
Spurs moved 17 points clear of the Gunners on Sunday as Dele Alli and Harry Kane - who have scored a combined 38 league goals this season - both netted in a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.
The victory guarantees Spurs will finish above Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time since 1995 and cuts the gap to leaders Chelsea to four points with four games remaining.
And former England international Pearce believes the convincing manner of the victory emphasised the growing gap between two sides who have enjoyed contrasting fortunes this season.
"Tottenham have vastly improved over the last few years - there is no doubt about that," Pearce told Premier League Daily.
"They have built the academy structure there and they have closed the gap between themselves and the top three or four clubs in the country.
"Arsenal, on the other hand, have probably not kept pace with the others around them and that has come home to roost this season."
When asked how many of Arsenal's players would get into Tottenham's team at the moment, Pearce said: "Off the top of my head I am struggling to name any. Sanchez maybe."
Former England manager Steve McClaren agreed with Pearce's assessment of the current gap between the sides.
"Players are underperforming at Arsenal. They are inconsistent," McClaren said.
"[Mesut] Ozil you would say is a world-class player but has underperformed this season compared to others.
"[Aaron] Ramsey has had an up-and-down season because of injuries. He was one of their top players also.
"But I quite agree, apart from that, Tottenham just look stronger all around."
