New Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has admitted north London rivals Arsenal are “one of the best teams in the world”.
Spurs face Arsenal in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong on Thursday and Frank has acknowledged a gulf between the two clubs.
Arsenal finished 36 points ahead of 17th Spurs in the Premier League last season, though they did win the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou.
With comments that might not go down well with Spurs fans, Frank said ahead of the Arsenal friendly: “I think it is a great challenge, besides being our biggest rivals and the first north London derby outside the UK.
“It is also right now one of the best teams, I must say unfortunately, in the world. We also need to be honest.
“In that way it is going to be a big test, but it is more than a test as against Arsenal it is not only a friendly. Of course it is a game we will do everything we can to win.”
Daniel Levy has said Spurs are aiming to win the Premier League and the Champions League, and Frank said in his unveiling that the club want to compete on four fronts this season.
But Frank acknowledged Spurs are playing catch-up after big spending from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea this summer.
Arsenal beat Spurs home and away in the Premier League last season, winning 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and 2-1 at Emirates Stadium.
