Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith says Tottenham are four years behind his old club.

Spurs have been warned they'll have to ­finish above Arsenal for five years running before they can claim to have eclipsed their bitter rivals.

Smith admitted: “This derby could be the game that seals it for both Arsenal and Spurs in different ways. It's always been a massive game, but the fact that it will be the last derby at the old White Hart Lane gives it an edge – and so does the state that both clubs find themselves in.

“Tottenham were a better team than Arsenal last season. For me, the final table did lie. But it won't lie this year.

“It's too early to talk about a shift in power in North London because, even if Tottenham finish above Arsenal, this is only one season. Arsenal have been top dogs for 22 seasons, so until Spurs have been in the ascendancy for four or five years you can't say the ­balance of power has changed.

"And, looking beyond this ­season, it's going to be tough for Tottenham to mount a title challenge from Wembley next year. We have seen how they have struggled there in the Champions League because it just isn't home. And it might be that Arsenal make some signings and come again."