Former Dutch international Edgar Davids has challenged Tottenham to make finishing above north London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League a regular occurrence.

The former Spurs midfielder praised manager Mauricio Pochettino for instilling a winning mentality at White Hart Lane and urged the team to drive on.

Speaking ahead of last night's 1-1 draw with West Brom, the 43-year-old said: "I think it's very important for a club like Tottenham right now to stay at the top.

"To win the title is absolutely incredible but to finish second would be also nice. Why? Simply because then they can establish something that's called a top team, a top side, and no longer look forward to Arsenal - but look backwards."

Tottenham are seven points off the top of the table and need Leicester to slip up if they are to have any hope of taking the title.

However, they are five points clear of Arsenal, the bitter rivals they have traditionally played second fiddle to in recent years.

Davids, who helped Spurs to fifth-placed finishes in 2005/06 and 2006/07, challenged his former club to follow the example set by big-spending Chelsea and Manchester City.

He said: "I think it's important for them (Spurs) to finally overcome that burden and create the culture you have seen with other teams.

"If you look at City, if you look at Chelsea, they have created that winning culture. I think it's important for Tottenham to stay in the top three for a couple of years to establish that."

Davids said he was very impressed and delighted with Spurs this year - and heaped praised on Pochettino for changing the mindset at the club.

"He's doing fantastically. He's creating a winning culture, and that's important," he said.

Davids, who also played at Crystal Palace and managed Barnet, said the club was no longer "reactive".

Speaking at the Dublin launch of this summer's International Champions Cup, he explained: "You see they are proactive. Now Arsenal have to catch up with them and I hope that will happen for a long period.

"You can have every playing style that you wish but if you don't have a winning culture, forget it."