There may not be another fixture in world football that has provided so many incredible battles. The North London derby has given us countless end-to-end thrillers, wondergoals and epic comebacks over the decades. Ahead of the latest edition of this classic tie, we’ve put together our top five meetings between Arsenal and Spurs.
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Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal (1991) – Gazza Magic
Some games are defined by a single moment – Paul Gascoigne sending a rocket of a free-kick into the stanchion is one of those moments. In an FA Cup semi-final against your fiercest rivals, what better way to break the deadlock? A helpless David Seaman retrieved the ball from the back of his net as Gazza wheeled off in celebration and Spurs charged on to win the FA Cup.
Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham (2010) – Kaboul Comeback
Younes Kaboul is probably not the man that springs to mind when reminiscing over iconic North London derbies, but the big Frenchman gave Spurs fans one of their sweetest moments in this fixture. Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh gave Arsenal a 2-0 lead going into the break as they seemingly strolled towards yet another home win over their rivals.
Tottenham had other ideas. Goals from rising superstar Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart levelled the tie, before Kaboul nodded home from a free-kick to give Spurs a first win away at Arsenal since the inaugural Premier League campaign.
Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal (2004) – Second Half 7
When Thierry Henry equalised to send the game tied at 1-1 into half time, it looked like White Hart Lane might be in for a nervy 45 minutes. Instead, the historic ground was treated to an absolute whirlwind of a second half, with seven goals scored in just over half-hour.
Some vintage Premier League names popped up on the scoresheet, making this nine-goal thriller a touch more nostalgic. Arsenal raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Lauren and Patrick Vieira, but Jermain Defoe pulled one back just 60 seconds later. Freddie Ljungberg and Ledley King also found the back of the net, before Robert Pires gave the Gunners a two-goal lead rendering Freddie Kanoute’s 88th minute effort futile.
Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal (2004) – In the Neighbours’ Backyard
There can’t be many better feelings than securing the title on home soil. What about being crowned Premier League champions in your neighbours’ backyard? It was a historic day in April 2004, regardless of what the Spurs faithful tell you.
Vieira and Pires launched Arsenal into an early lead, with a second-half finish from Jamie Redknapp and late equaliser from Robbie Keane doing nothing to take away from the occasion. Arsene Wenger’s Gunners had sealed the title and maintained their Invincible status, and they marched on to complete a feat that had not been done in over a century.
Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham (2008) – Glorious Goals Galore
This meeting had absolutely everything. When David Bentley opened the scoring with a sumptuous 40-yard volley – arguably the most iconic North London derby goal – Spurs fans could be forgiven for thinking it was their day. But headers either side of half time completed a quickfire turnaround before Emmanuel Adebayor extended Arsenal’s lead to 3-1. From 3-1 to 4-2 in just two minutes, Darren Bent prodded home to give the travelling fans hope, but Robin van Persie quickly re-established the Gunners two-goal lead.
A delightful Jermaine Jenas curler in the 89th minute dragged the game back to 4-3 and provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors – a glimmer was all they needed. The post denied a Luka Modric volley, only for Aaron Lennon to react fastest and seal a memorable 94th minute comeback. The windmilling arms; the belly slide; a Spurs fan in the bundle – a quite remarkable end to a Wednesday night in North London.
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