Sol Campbell has rejected talk of a "power shift" in North London, saying there is "no evidence" that Tottenham have surpassed Arsenal.
Spurs will seal second place and a first league finish above their rivals since the 1994-95 season if they avoid defeat at Newcastle United on the final day of the season.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were challenging for a first league title since 1961 until the bad-tempered 2-2 draw at Chelsea a fortnight ago confirmed Leicester City as champions, while Arsenal's season has followed a familiar pattern of early promise turned to frustration after Christmas.
However, if Spurs lose at St. James' Park and Arsenal beat bottom-club Aston Villa on Sunday, the Gunners will finish ahead of Spurs for the 19th consecutive season.
Campbell -- who is reviled at Spurs after moving from White Hart Lane to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001 -- believes only sustained success will see Tottenham emerge from the shadow of their neighbours.
"Power shift is when you start winning Premier Leagues and FA Cups on a regular basis and getting to quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of the Champions League, that's power shift," Campbell told City A.M.
"Power shift is not one season. Power shift is when you've got consistency over a five or 10-year period -- that's power shift. There is no evidence yet.
"There is potential, but everybody has got potential. It's all about realising potential and making it into reality.
"The trouble with football now is a lot of people jump up and down after about one or two seasons.
"Come back to me when it's five or 10 seasons and you have consistently played top, top football. It's all about consistency over the years, not just one season."
Meanwhile, Brad Friedel -- the former Spurs goalkeeper and a current club ambassador -- believes that Tottenham's success has been largely down to their manager.
"Mauricio Pochettino has done a fantastic job," Friedel said. "In the Premier League, there's a lot of money at a lot of teams. Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool -- they are all going to get better next year.
"But there's a very strong base at Tottenham with what Mauricio has done, so if they continue on that, they will be in that top four again. They're always a very difficult team to beat."