Arsene Wenger: Tottenham ahead in the table but no power shift

The Gunners make the short trip to White Hart Lane this weekend with Spurs still in the title race as Arsenal face an uphill battle to finish in the top four.

Tottenham have not finished above their neighbours in the Premier League since 1995 but Mauricio Pochettino's side can break that run if they beat their visitors.

Arsenal have enjoyed a mini revival in the last week with victory over Manchester City taking them to the FA Cup final and a narrow win over Leicester keeping their Champions League qualification hopes alive.

But after an alarming drop in form which saw fans call for Wenger to leave in the summer, it is now almost inconceivable that those supporters will be toasting another 'St Totteringham's Day' - the name they have given to the date when they are assured of finishing above Spurs - this year.

With Tottenham looking to keep tabs on leaders Chelsea and on a run of eight league wins, Wenger conceded on Friday that his side will be the outside bet on Sunday.

"It's certainly one of the few times where, if you look at people's opinions, Spurs are favourites," he said.

"It looks a bit like that but it doesn't matter too much to me. It's true that always in our press conferences we have to respond, if the worst happens what do you do?

"But let's make sure that the best happens and give absolutely everything to make sure that we finish in a very strong way our season."

This will be Wenger's 50th, and potentially final, north London derby as he still refuses to reveal if he will sign a new deal to remain at the Emirates Stadium beyond this campaign.

Of the previous 49, the Frenchman has won 22 derbies and lost only seven, and having always guided his side to finish above their nearest rivals Wenger does not see one season below them as a sign that things are changing.

"The priority for us is to finish in the top four," he said.

"After that, for the pride and the continuity or our achievements, yes we want to fight to be in front of Spurs. We have to focus on what is really important to us at this moment, which is to finish in the top four.

"Let's be honest, I've answered that question about a shift in power over 18 consecutive years. Nothing changes in that.

"I've played 50 London derbies, so of course there were some special ones in there. I'm not in a mode to reflect on that today. Maybe one day I will write a book just about the derbies."

Asked if Tottenham need to do more over a longer period of time to challenge Arsenal, Wenger replied: "I think so. You cannot say that the weight of one year has the weight of 20."