There is always the trivial possibility that Spurs will finish higher than their North London rivals, although they always seem to fall short at the final hurdle. Therefore if history predictably repeats itself then this article will be deemed more futile than it already is. However Spurs will surely, eventually, finish above Arsenal in the future, so why not this season?

Tottenham’s promising early season form is a good place to start. Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s tinkering and tactics appear to have given Spurs a new lease of life; the emergence of Deli Ali and Eric Dier is testament to that. In fact, the current wealth of English talent Tottenham currently posses mirrors the spine of another top seven team, that made the leap from 7^th to 2^nd in two Premier League seasons. I am referring to the 2013/14 Liverpool team that very nearly won the title, finishing above Arsenal in the process (the Gunners predictably finished 4^th).

Comparisons can be made all over the pitch with that team, Ali and Henderson, Kane and Sturridge, and, of course, Coutinho and Eriksen.

Nonetheless there is one glaring omission in this comparison - Luis Suarez. The influence Luis Suarez had on Liverpool was equal to that of Gareth Bale for Tottenham before his move to Real Madrid. Despite the appointment of Klopp, Spurs are ahead of Liverpool in terms of their recovery post star-player departure.

So that’s a possible scenario, Tottenham could replicate the unexpected nearly moment of Liverpool’s title charge. With good acquisitions in Son, N’Jie and Alderweireld, plus the possible return to form of Eric Lamela, it might just happen.

It's also worth pointing out Tottenham’s consistency compared with the other front-runners in the Premier League this season, including Arsenal. Despite being three points behind the Gunners, Spurs are unbeaten in seven games, and have the momentum to defeat any opponent they come up against.

Fundamentally, despite Tottenham’s hypothetical title surge, Spurs will have to rely on an Arsenal relapse to assume any realistic hope of finishing ahead of their rivals in a Champions League position.

Now this is much more likely, given the annual autumn pressure Arsenal are currently enduring. The Gunners' timely 3-0 victory against Manchester United has kept the critics at bay for the time being, but given Arsenal's form in Europe, anything is possible. That's not to say Arsene Wenger is going to be sacked - in fact it is in the interest of Tottenham if he does stay - Spurs just need to make sure they are ready to pounce when Arsenal do slip up.

Spurs, for the first time in Premier League history, need to be ruthless. 4-1 victories like the one enjoyed against Man City must become a weekly event. Tottenham’s high intensity and pressing game, complemented by the goal scoring abilities of Kane, Eriksen and Son, will surely propel them something close to title contenders.

If they can manage all that then Arsenal might just be playing catch up for the majority of the season.

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