Tottenham striker Peter Crouch believes the club can leapfrog rivals Arsenal in the race for fourth spot next season.

Arsenal began the season brightly but fell apart after their Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham City, finally finishing fourth place.

And Crouch believes Spurs have the ability to overtake their rivals as the season looms over the horizon.

“I believe Arsenal are catchable, although I still think they are top class,” Crouch said yesterday.

“They haven’t lost any players – there has been so much speculation about players going but they are still a very strong side.

“In my opinion Manchester United and Chelsea are going to be the two to beat, but other than that we are capable of finishing above the rest.

“It’s amazing when you look at how much the other teams around us have spent, it’s a hell of a lot of money.

“I look around our dressing room though and there are a lot of players there who I wouldn’t swap for theirs. We have more than enough ability.

“We have no-one who is going to have to settle into the side, we have all played together before.

“I still believe this could be a really big season for us. The aim has to be to get into the top four and it’s going to be difficult. There are some top sides.

“Liverpool have strengthened, and so have Man City, but I would still put ourselves right up there with a chance.”

Tottenham begin the season at home on Saturday with many believing the game should be called off following a third day of rioting in the nations Capital.