Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the quality of the teams currently competing for the Premier League title is "unprecedented".
This season's top four have amassed a higher total of points collectively than in any previous campaign.
Tottenham lead the way, having 26 points from a possible 30, two points ahead of both Arsenal and Manchester City and three ahead of Liverpool.
"What has happened in the last five years is unprecedented," Arteta said.
"It never happened with the amount of points and level of the teams."
Manchester City overhauled long-time leaders Arsenal to win the title by five points last season, securing their fifth league victory in six years.