Arsenal and Tottenham have been rivals since the beginning of the 20th Century. The rivalry, particularly during most of the Wenger years has been largely one sided, but Tottenham have seemingly gained the upper hand since the hire of Mauricio Pochettino. However there is the matter of silverware, where Spurs haven’t won anything since 2008, not to mention a league title since 1961. Arsenal won the FA cup final 2017, and last tasted league glory- their thirteenth- in 2004, when they went the entire season unbeaten. Both teams have changed their historical ground for a brand new stadium recently. Arsenal have yet to match the heights they reached at Highbury, while Tottenham just opened their new stadium last season. This season is vital for both teams in attempts to stay competitive with teams that vastly outspend them. In honor of the big one on Sunday, here are the five best moments from the North London Derby since 2000. I am going to start off with some honorable mentions.
- Emmanuel Adebayor scores and gets sent off within 17 minutes. The former Arsenal striker scored the opener, but was then almost immediately sent off for a tackle on Santi Cazorla. Arsenal went on to win the match 5-2. (Gareth Bale had a very nice goal for Tottenham as well.)
- Aaron Ramsey Backheel. Arsenal couldn’t lose at Spurs to keep pace with both them and eventual champions Leicester City. Aaron Ramsey’s incredible opener got the Gunners up and running at the Lane.
- Harry Kane Screamer. In the same game, Arsenal had Francis Coquelin sent off for a needless foul in the 55th minute. Spurs tied it in the 60th minute, and two minutes later Kane did this. (Game ended 2-2)
Now for the list.
5. 2 Nil Down, 5-2 Up, Theo Walcott Wrapped it Up 2012
Arsenal were down 2-0 early to a deflected finish and an Adebayor penalty. Bacary Sagna got the Gunners back into the game with a well placed header, before a rocket from a Dutch striker that will go unnamed tied the game at the half. Tomas Rosicky gave Arsenal the lead, before a brace from Walcott gave Arsenal 5 unanswered goals to kill the game off.
4. 4-4 Draw in 2008
This game was highly anticipated, due to Cesc Fabregas’ comments in the buildup. The Spaniard quipped- after Spurs won only once in their first nine games- that Arsenal’s Women’s team could “give them a run for their money. Tottenham took the lead after an incredible goal from David Bentley, but Arsenal scored four of the next five goals to take a 4-2 lead. The score stayed that way until Jermaine Jenas scored in the 89th minute. Aaron Lennon- Spurs version of Walcott, fast but an infuriatingly poor finisher- lashed in a tying goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
3. The End of Saint Totteringham’s Day 2017
In the final NLD at White Hart Lane, Tottenham brushed aside Arsenal 2-0 with goals from Dele Alli and a penalty from Harry Kane. The bigger moment here was that for the first time since Arsene Wenger took over in 1996, Tottenham were guaranteed to finish above Arsenal. The writing had been on the wall, as the year before Arsenal needed a colossal bottlejob by Tottenham against already relegated Newcastle to jump above them on the final day. Tottenham have not finished below Arsenal since that season, and Arsenal fans haven’t been able to celebrate one of their favorite holidays.
2. That Henry Goal 2003
Probably his second best goal ever for Arsenal, Henry ran almost the length of the pitch to score, before running back down and celebrating in front of the Tottenham fans. This is one of my favorite images ever, and the King of North London’s staredown has been immortalized in his statue outside of the Emirates Stadium. The greatest player to ever grace the game, Henry may even be the best player in Premier League history. He scored more than 20 goals in five straight seasons, and also owns the Premier League assists in a season record with 20 in 2002-03 (where he also finished second in the league with 24 goals).
1. “We Won the League at White Hart Lane”
This was the only option here. Not only was it a great game- Spurs rallied from 2-0 down to tie, but this day was all about the Gunners. Their opening goal was a microcosm of the entire season. A breathtaking counterattack that ended with their human tank of a captain Patrick Vieira sweeping the ball into an open goal. With the draw Arsenal were confirmed as champions in their rivals stadium. Arsenal would finish the entire season unbeaten, something that hadn’t happened in England since the 1890s. Spurs prevented an Arsenal win with a stoppage time penalty, and Mauricio Taricco celebrated the result so hard that he got a cramp.
Henry absolutely buried him saying, “You’re celebrating a draw? We needed a draw to win it at your place, and you’re celebrating it? That’s the standard here?” Because of Taricco’s celebrations, Henry led the Arsenal players down the pitch to celebrate the title in front of the fans, something they had previously agreed not to do for security reasons. His reasoning was incredible. If Spurs were going to celebrate a draw, he was going to dance on their graves.
Bonus combined XI since 2000
GK: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)- The most consistent keeper either team has had in the time range
Center Backs: Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell (Both Arsenal)- The Invincibles only conceded 26 goals all season. The pair also reached the 2006 UCL final
Fullbacks: Ashley Cole (Arsenal) and Gareth Bale (Tottenham)- I’m stretching it a bit here, picking two left sided players, but Bale was a left back at the start of his career, and neither team has had a right back worthy of mention. Plus both of them were absolutely world class.
Center Midfielders: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal) and Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)- Vieira left Arsenal in 2005, and they still haven’t replaced him. A similar thing will happen if Eriksen is sold to Real Madrid.
Wingers: Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg (Both Arsenal)- Both Arsenal legends could always be counted upon to score against their biggest rivals. Pires dominated Tottenham, while Ljungberg often saved his best for Manchester United
Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham) and Thierry Henry (Arsenal)- I don’t really need to add anything here. Their numbers speak for themselves.
P.S. Hey Spurs fans, does this guy look familiar?
