North London Derbies are always huge encounters. However, the stakes and consequences are even higher for Sunday’s Premier League clash between Tottenham and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs need to bounce back sharpish after their 4-0 mauling at the hands of Newcastle if they are to keep their dreams alive of claiming a top-4 spot and Champions League football next season.
Realistically, Arsenal cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to maintain their EPL title challenge. Not with Man City in such ruthless form, as we saw against Brighton on Thursday night. As a side note, although an important one for Arsenal fans, if Tottenham fail to win, then the bell will toll for St. Totteringham’s Day. The day when Arsenal have gathered sufficient points to be mathematically assured of finishing ahead of Tottenham in the league table.
The North London Derby – How It All Began
The first official competitive match between Arsenal and Tottenham occurred in November 1896. The then-named ‘Woolwich Arsenal’ recording a 2-1 victory in a ‘United League’ match at Manor Ground, Plumstead. However, the rivalry between the sides wouldn’t begin to grow until 1913, when Arsenal moved north of the river to Highbury and lost their Woolwich tag. Highbury was only 4 miles from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane and Spurs were livid that Arsenal was moving into their patch.
Games between the sides were pretty few and far between in the first half of the 20th century, with only 21 North London Derbies taking place between 1921-1949. This was due to Tottenham spending lengthy spells in the Second Division. Arsenal have famously only tasted relegation once during their league history (1912-13 season). The Gunners have been ever present in the top flight of the English league since the 1919-20 campaign. One memorable result during this early era of the rivalry, especially for (very) old Arsenal fans, is the Gunners’ 6-0 win at White Hart Lane in 1935. Ted Drake & Alfred Kirchen both scored braces in the match and it remains the biggest-ever victory in the fixture.
Arsenal Clinch The Title On Tottenham’s Turf
Arsenal and Tottenham would meet regularly from 1950 onwards, with both sides playing First Division football every season until 1977-78, when Tottenham were relegated. They would bounce back at the first time of asking though and have not dropped down again since. One of the most famous North London derbies in the latter half of the 20th century occurred at White Hart Lane in May 1971. Arsenal required a goalless draw or a win to lift the league title for the first time since 1952. Ray Kennedy headed home in the 88th minute to eased the fraying Gunners’ nerves.
Arsenal holds the record for the longest winning streak in North London Derbies. They’ve twice gone on six-game victory runs. The first between 1977-1980 and once again between 1987-1989. During the latter period, the Gunners would win a memorable League Cup semi-final tie against Tottenham. After the two-legged semi had finished 2-2 on aggregate, a 3rd match was required (as was the way in those days). David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle would grab a late winner, as Arsenal fought back after trailing to a Clive Allen strike earlier in the 2nd half.
Gazza’s FA Cup Free-Kick Screamer Lights Up Wembley
Tottenham of course have had their fair share of magical moments in the North London Derbies. One of the most joyous pre-Premier League occasions for the Lilywhites occurred at a neutral venue. En route to lifting the FA Cup in 1991, Tottenham would knock Arsenal out in a sensational semi-final at Wembley.
Paul Gascoigne kick-started the Spurs’ celebrations scoring a stunning free-kick that bamboozled David Seaman. Gary Lineker grabbed a brace too as Tottenham ran out 3-1 winners.
Arsenal’s 8-Year Unbeaten Run & The Invincibles
The highest-scoring North London Derby occurred during the current Premier League era. There had been a handful of 4-4 draws over the years, but those who ventured to White Hart Lane in November 2004 would witness a 9-goal thriller. At half-time with the sides even at 1-1, no one would have believed the shenanigans that would ensue after the break. Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Jermain Defoe, Freddie Ljungberg, Ledley King, Robert Pires & Freddie Kanoute all netted within the space of 33 sizzling second-half minutes, but Arsenal would hold on to claim a 5-4 victory.
That 5-4 success for the Gunners came straight on the back of a famous 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane at the end of the previous season. That score draw clinched the league title for Arsene Wenger’s men and maintained Arsenal’s unbeaten run that season. The Gunners remained unbeaten throughout that remarkable Invincibles campaign. Both those matches took place during a 21-game unbeaten run for Arsenal that covered a period of 8 years (2000-2008).
Tottenham’s Inaugural Win At The Emirates
Spurs would stop the rot dramatically though when hammering the Gunners 5-1 in a League Cup semi-final encounter in January 2008. Tottenham would have to wait until 2010 for their first success at the Emirates Stadium. Unsurprisingly, it proved to be another North London Derby thriller. Spurs would rally from 2-0 down to claim an unlikely victory thanks to a Younes Kaboul header five minutes from time.
As of 1909 when the first competitive Football League encounter took place between Arsenal and Tottenham, the current tallies stand at: 81 wins for Arsenal, 61 wins for Tottenham and 52 drawn matches. The balance of power has swung to and fro in recent times. In April 2017, Tottenham were victorious in the final North London Derby played at White Hart Lane. It meant that Spurs finished above Arsenal in the league for the first time in 22 seasons. However, the Gunners have ruled the roost in the last couple of campaigns. Mikel Arteta’s men finished 24 points above their arch-rivals last season and have a healthy advantage once again this term.
North London Derby – Recent Stats & Trends
We’ve not had a goalless first half in a North London Derby since Tottenham’s 1-0 league win in February 2018, during the period when Spurs were playing their home games at Wembley. The average time of the 1st goal netted in the twelve North London Derbies that have followed since is just 17.66 minutes. Goals in general have been on the high side of late, with an average of 3.33 scored per game in the last six Arsenal v Tottenham match-ups.
Sunday’s North London Derby kicks off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 2 pm. Live on Sky Sports.
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