Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson says Arsenal and Tottenham are reaping the rewards for an ambitious summer market.

Lawro wrote in the Mirror: "It has been an excellent start by both north London clubs. Tottenham have been planning for this for a long time.

"They knew Gareth Bale was leaving and the players they were going to bring in as a result. But maybe their best signing of all was Franco Baldini as director of football. He knows all the players in Europe and went 'we'll have him, him, him and him'.

"The Gunners spent heavily on one player in Mesut Ozil, who cost £42.5million but he wasn't the only addition. Mathieu Flamini came back already knowing what is needed to play for Arsenal and Emiliano Viviano from Italy was brought in to keep Wojciech Szczesny on his toes.

"That represents a good summer's business by both teams and the league table reflects this."