Bale: Tottenham have overtaken Arsenal

By FOX Sports staff

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger somewhat steadied the ship on Saturday with a 2-1 home win over Aston Villa.

However, after being knocked out of the Capital One Cup and FA Cup by two non-Premier League outfits this season in Bradford and Blackburn respectively, as well as suffering a 3-1 stuffing at home against Bayern Munich in Europe in midweek, Arsenal are struggling to live up to past glory.

And with Spurs currently one point ahead of the Gunners in fourth place with Monday's match against West Ham to come, Bale is in no doubt which club is the top dog in North London at the moment.

"I think five or 10 years ago Arsenal were always miles ahead of Tottenham. But that has changed in recent years," Bale told The Sun.

"Over the past few seasons we have closed that gap and I think now we have overtaken them on the pitch. I think we have the stronger squad.

"Hopefully we can continue to do that as a club off the pitch as well, with the new stadium that is being built.

"But on the pitch and as a team now we are a lot more consistent and as a club we're moving in the right direction.

"Arsenal may say they are still ahead of us.

"But whatever people's opinions I don't think anyone can deny we are up there fighting with them on merit now."

Arsenal play Tottenham at White Hart Lane next Sunday on the back of recent comments from Wenger that he was close to signing the 23-year-old Welsh winger before he left Southampton in 2007 for Spurs.

"I don't remember Arsenal being interested in me, to be honest," Bale said.

"But anyhow it wouldn't have made a difference as I made my choice to come to Tottenham on footballing decisions.

"I thought they were a club on the up and while other clubs wanted me to start off in the reserves, Tottenham said they wanted me to challenge for a first-team place right away.

"And that was the most important thing for me."

Bale has been in excellent form for Spurs this season with 17 goals so far.