Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham: Who Is the Best Team in London?

"You're only as good as your last game" is a phrase that is applicable to most modern-day sporting teams.

Of course, there is a certain element to that which is true but when taking the term literally, it doesn't make much sense. 

Are we to believe that Swansea are now a better team than Arsenal? Or Wolves are just as good as Spurs? Chelsea are marginally superior than Sunderland? All three answers are without doubt—NO.

The fact is that there are plenty of aspects that make up how good a football team are. 

What is interesting is the current fortunes of the three best teams (sorry, Fulham and QPR fans) and who can legitimately have the prestigious title of top dogs in London.

There are obviously arguments for and against each team, and while I will attempt to form an independent conclusion, it is fair to say there will always be plenty of disagreement whatever the outcome.

So let's look at the hard facts; Spurs are third and probably have the most realistic chance of the three clubs at winning the Premier League this season. They obviously have their work cut out but they are genuine contenders without question.

Forty-six points from 21 games marks their best-ever start to a Premier League season; that's six points ahead of Chelsea and a massive 10 in front of Arsenal. Wins over the Gunners and Liverpool have been the highlights of a quite stunning campaign that has seen the emergence of Gareth Bale as one of the very best attacking forces in Europe.

The loan signing of Emmanuel Adebayor has proved a master stroke and the likes of Scott Parker and Kyle Walker have brought real quality throughout the team.

However, Harry Redknapp has admitted a lack of squad depth could ultimately cost Spurs come the end of the season if injuries continue to be a problem.

Ledley King, William Gallas, Sandro and Tom Huddlestone are all long-term absentees and there continues to be question marks over the fitness of Rafael van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon. Add to that the growing doubts over Jermain Defoe's future and it might not appear as rosy at White Hart Lane as we are led to believe.

The big test is yet to come and the next six matches will make or break their season. Home games with Manchester United and Newcastle will provide sterner tests than recent opposition while away trips to Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City this weekend will show us all whether Spurs are the real deal.

For me, the one huge thing that Redknapp has in his favour is that they have no European football to worry about. That could be the key to maintaining their enviable league position. The league represents their only chance to get back in the Champions League whereas one could question that Chelsea and Arsenal's priorities are now elsewhere after all but admitting defeat in this year's title race.

All is definitely not right at Chelsea and I'm sure Andre Villas-Boas has probably had more of a shock than he was expecting.

The expectations are quite simple at Stamford Bridge—win the Champions League or the Premier League, otherwise the season is a failure. Ask Carlo Ancelotti what that inevitably means for the manager.

Poor results including defeats to QPR and Aston Villa combined the inheritance of an ageing squad and it would seem a season of transition would most likely be on the cards. Throw into that a misfiring £50 million Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba at the Africa Cup of Nations, and it's a pretty bleak short-term picture.

But Chelsea are without question one of the most resilient teams in the Premier League and when attacked, they come out fighting.

Make no mistake, do not write this team off. They have by far the easiest of the forthcoming fixtures, not to mention a certain chairman called Roman Abramovich. This man does not like losing and has almost become obsessive in his hunt for Champions League triumph.

Do not be surprised if Chelsea make a huge move before the transfer window closes in order give the squad the boost it so desperately needs.

Juan Mata is one of the best signings of the season and the signature of Gary Cahill adds much-needed strength and depth. Bring in another top-quality striker or midfielder to add to the experience already there and the second half of the season could be a totally different story for the Blues.

And then there's Arsenal, probably everybody's second-favourite team that just keeps letting you down time and time again. Just when you think they're back in the title race, they produce a shocking performance. This month alone, they have thrown away leads at Fulham and Swansea only to lose both games. That is bad enough over a season but within two weeks is inexcusable.

However, on their day, they are unplayable and in Robin van Persie, they have the best striker in the Premier League and perhaps only second to Lionel Messi in the world.

That is a huge plus but only counterbalances the loss of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. Mikel Arteta is certainly a useful acquisition, however at 29 and always an injury concern, his best playing days are probably behind him.

Does the acquisition of Thierry Henry make them the team to beat again? I'm not convinced but don't be surprised if the six-week loan is extended to the end of the season.

Still in the Champions League and capable of going to places like Chelsea and winning 5-3, they are far from the spent force many would suggest.

In conclusion, each club has different positives and negatives. Spurs are without doubt the form team and should be taken seriously as a genuine contender in the near future. But a lack of squad depth and a tricky fixture list has yet to unfold, giving them an inflated power ranking to date.

Arsenal as a business are incredibly well ran off the pitch, although sometimes to the annoyance of fans who long for a big-money signing year after year. They have the most established manager of the three clubs but alarming defeats season after season confirm an underlying problem at the club that must be addressed.

Chelsea have problems too but you feel that Villas-Boas is going to get the full backing of the board and more importantly Abramovic's wallet.

Yes, they have some ageing players but experience is also important and if the Frank Lampards and Didier Drogbas can give their experience to the new squad that is taking shape, that can only work in their favour.

Yes, they are six points adrift of Spurs but winners of the Premier League in 2009/10 and runners-up last year still counts for a lot.

Chelsea are still the best team in London and will pip Spurs to third place this season. Arsenal may take a couple more years to return to the top.

What do you think?