Why van der Vaart deal means Arsenal's edge over Spurs is smaller than ever

By Darren Lewis

Published 08:27 08/09/10

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One man doesn't make a team but Rafael van der Vaart certainly goes some way to reducing the gulf in quality between Spurs and Arsenal.

Forget how they got hold of him, Harry Redknapp has played an absolute blinder in bringing him to the club and the midfielder will surely thrive in English football.

Certainly when you look at the two teams now, there is not much to choose between them in terms of personnel. I wouldn't go as far as the former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben in insisting Spurs are on a par with Arsenal.

But I do agree that the Lilywhites are gaining ground hand over fist on the Gunners.

Don't get me wrong, Andriy Arshavin is pure gold, Samir Nasri is quality and Theo Walcott is improving hand over fist. But Cesc Fabregas's head has been turned by Barcelona - who have kept the no.4 shirt free for him - and he won't be at the Emirates by the start of next season.

Just glancing at the north London rivals I'd take Jermain Defoe, who scored 30 goals last season - and could have scored more but for an indifferent second half - over Nicklas Bendtner.

I would take Gareth Bale, with his power, his penetration and his dead ball ability, over anything Arsenal have down their left hand side. And although Robin van Persie is quality, he never seems to complete a full season. I'd have Van der Vaart.

In goal I'd have Gomes over Almunia. In midfield it's close between Song and Huddlestone. Down the right I have to admit I'd have Walcott over Lennon as I think the Arsenal man will prove to have more in his locker over time.

And Luka Modric could/would give Nasri a run for his money.

But the point is, there are more talking points in terms of quality when you compare the two teams than there have been for some time.

The longer Spurs stay in the Champions League (places), the more they will be able to attract players of the calibre of Van der Vaart and the more youngsters such as Johnny Bostock, Gio Dos Santos will realise that unless they train on they will be thrown overboard.

Right now though, Arsenal come out on top in three areas:

Depth - players such as Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Eboue can't even get into the team.

Progress - Aaron Ramsey is waiting in the wings to replace Fabregas when he eventually goes. Jack Wilshere will a towering talent if he can stay out of trouble.

There are high hopes for the likes of Craig Eastmond, Emmanuel Frimpong would have been in first-term contention but for bad luck with injury and Kieran Gibbs - like Wilshere - is being talked of for England even though he can't get into the Arsenal first team.

Mentality - Arsenal's youngsters have grown together. They have been on several Champions League excursions together and defied the doubters by remaining in title contention until April last season. There is a collective will that binds them and in Arsene Wenger they have a father-figure.

On the last point, perhaps Spurs can say that they too have grown as a group. They too have someone in Harry Redknapp who has taught them how to win and to trust in each others' abilities. But they do not have the experience of competing for the title (Redknapp has brought in the ex-Arsenal man William Gallas to help them with that).

They do not have the experience of digging out tough Champions League results in far-flung areas of Europe. And they do not - yet - have the squad to compensate for the loss of big players when it matters most.

That is changing all the time, however. It may be very different next season.

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