Arsène Wenger has congratulated Tottenham Hotspur on their qualification for the Champions League play-offs but reminded them that his side no longer celebrate finishing in the top four, because it is something they achieve every season.
"Spurs are in the Champions League on merit and you are never there by coincidence," he said. "They managed to beat us, to beat Chelsea, and also after a massive disappointment of losing the FA Cup semi-final [to Portsmouth]."
Wenger took note of the celebrations at Eastlands after Tottenham's victory over Manchester City on Wednesday, which secured at least fourth place.
"We don't celebrate any more because we have done it for so many years that everybody finds it normal," he said. "It is not normal – it is the consequence of quality performances during the season and it is not because we are Arsenal that we are guaranteed that."
The Arsenal manager said the season's defining moment for his club's local rivals had been their victory in the north London derby days after missing out on an expected FA Cup final appearance.
"Straight away they had the opportunity to put that right," Wenger said, "and that brought up the level of confidence again and they have finished the season on a high. When you beat Arsenal, you beat Chelsea, you beat Man City, you deserve it."
Arsenal have lost form since their chances of silverware began to evaporate in a punishing week that saw them falter at Birmingham, Barcelona and Tottenham. Wenger's team need a point from their last game of the season, at home to Fulham on Sunday, to secure third place.
"I am surprised because I thought we would make the points before now," said Wenger. "I know this match comes after a few disappointing results and of course since we have gone out of the Champions League there was a little downer in our heads. But I think we have enough pride and quality to finish the season well and to secure third place."
Failure to do so would be a big blow for Wenger, who has experience of Champions League qualification play-offs and knows what a challenge they pose, coming so early in English pre-season schedules. That difficulty will be increased in a World Cup summer.
Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie are due to start Arsenal's last game of the season. The only injured player who has a chance of playing is Gaël Clichy.