Not since 1995 have Tottenham finished ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, but a draw or better against Newcastle next weekend should end that run.
Arsene Wenger has had the upper hand in every year of his Arsenal reign against Tottenham's steady stream of managers.
But Pochettino is determined not to obsess about local bragging rights and has urged all at Tottenham to think in the same way, with his priority to finish ahead of every team, not just the Gunners.
That hope ended for this season with Leicester clinching the title, but second place is there for the taking for Tottenham despite a 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Sunday.
Pochettino said: "I think that I don't care about Arsenal, I want to win the league, I want to be on top but Arsenal I do not care about.
"Sure I want to be above them, but this I think is normal. But to try to improve, to try and be bigger, we need to concentrate on us and not look what is happening with our neighbours.
"We feel disappointed (after the result against Southampton), I think that our last game at home we want to win but we are disappointed."
As for what his team need to improve on for next season, Pochettino said: "I think we need to put our energy in trying to win games like today. It does not matter if it is Southampton, Arsenal or Chelsea, we want to win, we want to be above them and now we are the same next season too.
"Two shots on target for them and they scored twice and we scored only once with 70 per cent possession but in football you never know. It has been a good experience for us to learn from this season. We improved from last season but we need to still improve and try to improve and try to be better."
MagistaX orange Southampton manager Ronald Koeman was pleased with his team's reaction at White Hart Lane.
After slipping behind to Son Heung-min's goal in the 16th minute, a double from Steven Davis saw Southampton secure the victory which moved them into sixth on 60 points, equalling their best points tally in the league.
The Saints boss has now seen his side beat every team in the Premier League since he joined in June 2014 and admits it is an impressive record.
superfly mercurial camo Koeman said: "It is a big, big achievement, but it is nice.
"Tottenham was the better team at the start of the game, very aggressive, very good football, they made it very difficult.
"We had a good reaction in the game, some good crosses, we made it really dangerous. It is all about scoring chances but we showed belief in the second half.
"We controlled a little bit better in the midfield area and we were dangerous with the pace in front. After 2-1 we were a little bit lucky.
Ozil ace 16+ green "It was a great win and we are very proud of it."
Southampton are looking for a place in the Europa League next season and Koeman believes they are still in with a chance of reaching their target. Saints are now three points behind Manchester United who sit in fifth.
tiempo legend 2016 He said: "We knew our situation, you need to be realistic about your possibilities and we need one more win.
superfly cr7 gold "This victory will give everybody a lot of confidence, we like to finish the season on a high, strongly, we need one more win.
"We spoke about a special season last season, but then this season will be even more special."
