fbpx

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – Best North London derbies over the years

The North London derby is one of England’s most iconic and historic rivalries, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur going head to head in a fierce battle for bragging rights.

Both sides have enjoyed considerable levels of success in this showdown, although the Gunners have been the dominant side over the past couple of years.

Arsenal have finished above Tottenham in the Premier League for the past two seasons and are on course to make it three in a row, with Ange Postecoglou’s side languishing in the bottom half of the table.

However, form tends to count for nothing when these two capital juggernauts lock horns, as has been the case in past meetings.

Both sides have already faced off this season, and fans who got Arsenal vs Tottenham tickets from Seatsnet.com were treated to an entertaining affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While it didn’t deliver the usual fireworks that has become a hallmark of this fixture, both sides put up a fight, with Arsenal ultimately getting the better of their rivals in a 1-0 victory.

The next North London derby is scheduled for January 15, and it promises to be another riveting encounter, with Spurs seeking retribution at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium headquarters.

There’s still two weeks to go until both sides renew acquaintances, giving us a window to travel down memory lane and explore some of the best North London derbies over the years.

Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal, January 2023

Arsenal ended their nine-year wait for a North London Derby win on Tottenham’s turf with a resounding 2-0 victory over Ange Postecoglou’s side last January. 

Spearheaded by a spectacular first-half strike from skipper Martin Odegaard, the Gunners’ performance strengthened their Premier League title credentials and avenged a gut-wrenching 3-0 defeat at the same venue the previous spring.

Arsenal broke the deadlock early on, pouncing on Tottenham’s defensive errors to take control of proceedings. 

Odegaard’s fierce effort was the highlight of the opening 45 minutes, coming after an own goal from Spurs’ goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Arsenal’s dominance in the first half left the home crowd stunned.

Mikel Arteta’s side faced a relentless barrage from Spurs in the second half but kept things tight at the back to preserve their clean sheet and see out a somewhat comfortable victory.

Former first-choice stopper Aaron Ramsdale was instrumental in helping Arsenal seal the crucial win, pulling off a number of crucial saves to prevent Spurs from mounting a sensational comeback.

This victory extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points over second-placed Manchester City, reinforcing their credentials as serious title contenders. 

It also proved to any doubters that they were more than capable of silencing the league’s tougher teams as a result of the brilliant work Arteta has done during his time at the club.

Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham, October 2022

Sitting at the top of the Premier League table eight games into the season, Arsenal played host to Tottenham at the Emirates.

They needed a big performance to consolidate their spot at the summit, and Arteta’s side rose to the occasion, delivering a commanding display to see off Spurs 3-1 on home turf.

Goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, and Granit Xhaka sealed a decisive victory, underlining the Gunners’ growing dominance under manager Arteta.

The match was a serious show of the quality Arteta had at his disposal, with his team putting in a performance of high technical brilliance and tactical cohesion.

Partey opened the scoring with a stunning strike from distance, but Spurs wouldn’t go down without a fight, and club record scorer Harry Kane pulled them back into the game from 12 yards out.

However, Jesus restored Arsenal’s lead just four minutes into the second 45 minutes before Xhaka gave Arteta’s side an all-important two-goal cushion, sealing all three points for the Gunners.

The win extended Arsenal’s lead at the Premier League summit and was further proof of the ever-increasing gulf in quality between the North London rivals, making it one of the best derby victories in the Arteta era.

Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham, February 2012

Between 2006 and 2012, Arsenal and Tottenham delivered a series of electrifying North London derbies at the Emirates, with each of the seven encounters producing at least three goals. 

This high-scoring streak peaked with two unforgettable showdowns that remain etched in fans’ memories, starting with this game in the 2011/12 season.

The thrilling clash saw Tottenham fly out of the blocks, snatching a 2-0 lead early on. 

Louis Saha opened the scoring inside the opening four minutes before ex-Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor – a figure the Gunners faithful love to hate – gave Spurs a two-goal cushion with a 34th-minute penalty. 

Tottenham were seemingly cruising to victory, but Arsenal had other plans. 

The Gunners came roaring back in a sensational comeback that started before half time as Bacary Sagna and Robin van Persie restored parity, setting the stage for an electrifying second-half performance.

Tomas Rosicky’s composed finish in the 51st minute put Arsenal ahead, and Theo Walcott sealed the win with a quickfire brace. The five-star comeback showcased Arsenal’s attacking flair but also crushed their rivals’ hopes that day.

What made the win even sweeter for Arsenal fans is that later that year, in November during the 2012/13 season – again at the Emirates – Arsenal bowled over Spurs once again with another 5-2 victory.

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal, April 2004

Arsenal’s legendary 2003/04 Premier League season remains an iconic chapter in football history, as the Gunners achieved the seemingly impossible – an entire league campaign unbeaten. 

Their remarkable feat was crowned in the most dramatic fashion as they clinched the title at the home of their fiercest rivals, Tottenham.

Heading into the clash at White Hart Lane, Arsenal needed just a single point to clinch the title. 

Fully aware of the stakes, Tottenham weren’t about to let their arch-rivals celebrate a historic feat on their turf, but they were powerless to stop Arsene Wenger’s well-oiled machines.

The Gunners wasted no time asserting their dominance. Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires struck in the first half, giving Arsenal a commanding 2-0 lead by the 35th minute.

Spurs fought back in the second half, with Jamie Redknapp reducing the deficit before Robbie Keane converted a late penalty to draw the Whites level, but the 2-2 draw was enough for Arsenal to clinch the win.

They got their one point, which meant their bitter rivals had to watch on as the Gunners celebrated being league champions once again.

That was the last time Arsenal won the Premier League title. While it’s now been over two decades without the coveted prize, they can take solace in the fact that they last did it in quite possibly the greatest way possible.

Subscribe for notification