Fourth place in the Premier League is like a trophy for Arsenal and Tottenham

With four games to go, we all know what will decide the outcome of the fourth-place race, as well as whether or not Spurs make it.

When you talk about the race for the top four, you have to remember how much next week's north London derby means.

It is huge for a lot of reasons. I think whoever wins that game will end up in the European places, but good luck trying to predict who that will be.

I don't think it matters who has the better table going into the derby. Both teams will throw everything they have at each other.

I played in this game for Spurs a few times and they don't need to have anything on them to be special because of what they get from both sets of fans.

Everything depends on it.

It will feel like a cup final, because fourth place is a trophy for both clubs, and a return to the European Championship next season would mean a lot to both clubs.

Whoever makes it will have a successful campaign, but what happens next is more important. The difference between being able to sign certain players or not is due to the fact that you can play in the Champions League.

Tottenham are not the only 'Spursy' team around

I wouldn't say I've been convinced by either side this season, but they are in a good position.

Spursy is a tag that has been given to them because of their inconsistent play and tendency to let things slip away.

You could say the same about every team that has been chasing fourth place.

The two teams are still in the race. I mean a very disappointing one, because it feels like Manchester United turn in a performance most weeks now.

You can see where United finished last season, in second place, and who they signed last summer, but they are much worse off.

In the last few weeks, both Spurs and Arsenal have had issues, but they both showed on Sunday that they are ready for what lies ahead.

A day for centre-halves to shine

As soon as Harry Kane put them in front, they were on top.

We already knew that Son Heung-min and Kane could always dig them out of trouble. They have done it all season long.

It was also up front where Spurs impressed me. In defence, I thought he was very good.

I am a huge fan of the way Romero plays. He is always on the front foot and aggressive, which made a difference today with the two important tackles he went into.

He is a clever player and that showed me how much he wanted it. If someone makes a mistake, he is always there. They will need more of the same in the next few weeks.

After seeing Spurs win comfortably and move above them in the table, it was down to Arsenal to respond when they went to West Ham for the later kick-off.

Their centre-halves, Rob Holding and Gabriel, played a big part in the win over West Ham, but their biggest contributions came at the other end of the pitch.

If you are trying to achieve something, then you need to get goals from everyone on your team.

The way in which the team went on to get a result must have delighted Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal show they can grind out a big win

I was impressed with the way the team was able to grind out a win despite not playing well at London Stadium.

It wasn't pretty but it didn't have to be. It felt like we saw a different side of the team, and they got another vital three points in a very difficult game.

They have bounced back from a few weeks ago when their form dipped, and have beaten West Ham and Manchester United in successive matches. Getting wins in big games is even better.

The third-place Blues lost atEverton on Sunday and are now only three points behind.

I don't think Thomas Tuchel's side has to worry about dropping out of the top four.

They have thrown in the odd poor performance recently, but that is not surprising with what has been going on at the club.

They brush most teams aside when they are good, because they still have far more good days than bad ones.

The best game I have ever seen was when the Blues played the Reds in the Carabao Cup final.

You can see a reaction from them even when they are bad. They paid the price for a poor first 45 minutes in the first leg but came back strong in Madrid and almost got through.

I don't think they will struggle in their remaining games, which leaves only one place in the top four up for grabs.

When the north London derby is over, I will tell you who will get that.

Jonathan Woodgate was talking to Chris Bevan.