Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes that Tottenham must be considered title contenders after their brilliant start to the season.
Unbeaten Spurs are currently top of the Premier League, two points clear of north London rivals Arsenal, who are second heading into the weekend.
The Gunners will leapfrog Tottenham if they win at Newcastle on Saturday, while Manchester City will do the same if they beat Bournemouth.
Spurs, who host Chelsea on Monday night, have surprised many with their fast start to life under head coach Ange Postecoglou, who was appointed in the summer.
Asked if Tottenham must now be considered rivals for the title this season, Arteta said: “They are right there now, and they merit to be where they are, so yes.”
This is the first time in Premier League history that three teams have at least 24 points after 10 games, which Arteta believes is a sign of how strong the top-flight has become.
“What has happened in the last five years is unprecedented,” said Arteta. “It never happened with the amount of points and level of the teams.
“Now it’s the amount of teams with that level that is increasing and increasing. That’s why comparing to the past in this League is a waste of time.
"It’s very different to what it used to be, and that puts the demands of what we do every single day in a different scope.”
Arsenal hope that captain Martin Odegaard will be fit to start against Newcastle after struggling with a hip issue in recent weeks.
He was an unused substitute in last week’s 5-0 win over Sheffield United, but came off the bench for the final 10 minutes against West Ham on Wednesday and scored Arsenal’s only goal in a 3-1 Carabao Cup loss.
“We have tried to offload him a little bit because he had a little issue that he was grumbling with,” said Arteta.
“He felt much better in the last few days, and we gave him a few minutes against West Ham which was good to see, and his contribution was really good.
"He will train today and if he’s fine he will be ready.”
Arsenal’s last trip to St James’ Park was in May, when they claimed an impressive 2-0 victory in hostile surroundings.
“When you play football, you want to play in those atmospheres,” said Arteta. “Like going to Seville, you know what you are going to get.
"It’s an incredible privilege to play in those grounds, you have to embrace the moment, enjoy it and go for it because it’s worth it. These are the arenas you want to be tested in.”
