The north London derby has rolled around again, and so you know what that means.

Yep, relentless comparisons between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Spurs are flying right now, impressing in the Premier League and having already secured qualification for the last-16 of the Champions League thanks to last month's thrilling 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at Wembley .

The Gunners are four points behind their rivals, and stuck down in the less glamorous setting of the Europa League, where Spurs used to frequently reside.

Changing places? (
Image:
PA Wire)

So have these two clubs swapped places? Kind of.

And here are seven reasons to support that theory.

Thursdays have become Arsenal days

Gunners fans used to mock Spurs for being in the Europa League (
Image:
PA)

"Thursday-Spursday" used to be the not-so-subtle shout from the Gunners faithful towards their rivals when it was them who were playing in the Europa League, but the tables have turned these days.

The games aren't on Channel 5 any more, and "Thursday night, BT Sport 2" isn't quite as catchy, but the sentiment is the same.

Tottenham possess the Premier League's best forward

Harry Kane has taken over North London goalscoring responsibilities (
Image:
Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

There was a period when every other team in the Premier League were desperate to have a Thierry Henry on their books, but now its a Harry Kane.

Last season's Golden Boot winner has started this campaign in much the same fashion, and Arsenal just don't have anyone who comes close to his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net.

Barely anyone does.

"Lads, it's Tottenham , Arsenal"

Gabriel Jesus fires home against the Gunners (
Image:
AFP)

Roy Keane's infamous quote about Spurs was all about them failing to turn up in the big games, and the same thing can now be said about the Gunners.

They've lost at Liverpool and Manchester City already this season, and despite a draw at Chelsea there seems to be a worrying trend in which they demonstrate the same character flaws in these games over and over again.

Spurs have secured progress from the Champions League group stages

Dele Alli celebrates against Real Madrid (
Image:
AFP)

It wasn't just constantly playing in the Champions League that Arsenal fans were so proud of, it was constantly reaching the knockout rounds too.

Arsene Wenger has never failed to do that with them, and after their exit at the first hurdle last season, Spurs can already look forward to elite-level European football in the New Year after just four group stage games.

Tottenham have one of the most solid defences in the Premier League

These two are key to defensive success (
Image:
REUTERS)

It is a long time since people talked about the old Arsenal back four, but the Tottenham back three are now just as worthy of praise.

Toby Alderweireld will miss the weekend's derby with injury, but in Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier, Mauricio Pochettino has a solid defensive base he can rely upon.

Spurs possess England's bright new hope

Harry Winks = the new Jack Wilshere? (
Image:
PA)

In pretty much every "future England team" article you ever read a few years ago, Jack Wilshere was going to be the star of the show and probably a future captain. But now he's out of the squad.

One man who has replaced him in that central midfield role is Tottenham's Harry Winks, who will be eyeing a World Cup place if he keeps up this form.

And Spurs will soon play in North London's biggest club stadium

A vision of the future (
Image:
Handout)

It is something that they are incredibly happy about, and from next season Spurs will be able to call a new 61,000 stadium home, meaning that they'll have a bigger capacity than Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

One-upmanship? Perhaps.

But right now they can afford to do that.

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