Ah, the North London Derby. A rivalry that stretches over 90 years (94 to be exact). But I have to admit that in my early days of supporting Arsenal (early 1990’s), I knew nothing about the history. Watching the game outside of England in pre-internet days was a completely different experience — I only got to catch snippets of some games and was completely at the mercy of the tv coverage. Words such as “local rivalry”, “fierce neighbours” during the match commentary atleast provided me with some context on what a derby meant but I never did truly know the history until the days of the internet in the late 90’s.
The history, for those coming in late
1913. Arsenal moved into Highbury (North London), 4 miles away from Spurs home ground (White Hart Lane). That was the first signal of war because Arsenal had dared to move within Spur’s turf. Considering how many wars have started over land issues, this hatred seemed tame in comparison.
Then came 1919 and an event that really stirred the pot. The league was due to be expanded to 22 teams from 20. Naturally, it was assumed that the bottom two Division One teams would not be relegated but would be joined by the top two from the Second Division. But only Chelsea, who finished in 19th spot, were allowed to stay and Spurs who finished in 20th spot were sent down. Arsenal, who were 5th in the Second Division, were mysteriously promoted ahead of the 3rd and 4th place teams. What happened? A secret handshake? Who knows but the rivalry and hatred were forever etched.
Recent results: Heroes and Villains
Arsenal are unbeaten against Spurs in any competition in the last 8 years, since a 2-1 away loss at White Hart Lane in Nov 1999. That loss is also Arsène Wenger’s only reverse against Tottenham. Over the last 11 games (in both the league and Carling Cup), Spurs scored first in 7 games only for Arsenal to come back and either tie or win the game. In those 11 games, Spurs scored late on only two occasions to salvage a point (both 2-2 draws, one of them was on April 2004 when a point was good enough to give Arsenal the title away to Spurs). Spurs did also score late in the second leg of the Carling Cup semis last season to send the game into extra time where they eventually lost 3-1.
With so much importance to this game, the encounters are pretty close and normally decided by one or two goal margins. Last season’s & 2002/03 season’s 3-0 home wins for Arsenal are the biggest margin wins over Spurs since the 1978/79 season when Arsenal won 5-0. The 9 goal thriller (5-4 Arsenal win) in 2004 is the highest total of goals scored in this derby.
Arsenal’s last home loss to Spurs (1-3) was all the way back in 1993, in a season when Spurs won both their battles with Arsenal. Spurs hero and Arsenal villain, Teddy Sheringham played in both games and scored in that 3-1 Arsenal loss. Sheringham has a special place in Arsenal’s all time great villain list as he also played for Man Utd. And to add fuel to the fire, Sheringham was never shy to openly show his hatred for Arsenal.
On the other hand, Thierry Henry sometimes sprinted on a solo mission to take down Spurs. Henry proudly showed his Arsenal spirit and was one of the few brave players to slide in front of Spurs fan to celebrate a super goal. Henry didn’t play in last year’s 3-0 home win but the camera showed him proudly celebrating the first two goals. So his last goal against Tottenham was that precious strike for a 1-1 tie in the last ever derby at Highbury in the 2005/06 season (O fcourse, that game is also remembered for Martin Jol’s tussle with Wenger on the sidelines). Even in the press conference after his departure to Barcelona was announced, one of the first things Henry mentioned was that by instinct he checked to see when Arsenal would meet Spurs this season.
When Saturday Comes
Another page in this historical encounter will be written. Last weekend’s hard fought win over Chelsea and a spirited mid-week triumph over Blackburn by the young guns, should give Arsenal a good belief going into this encounter. This Saturday’s game also marks new Spurs manager Juande Ramos’ first taste of the North London Derby. Of course, Ramos knows a thing or two about a derby as he was involved in Seville’s battles with Real Betis over the years.
And after Saturday, Arsenal will get two more chances to rumble with Tottenham in the Carling Cup semi’s, just like last season. But Saturday’s game is first….Let the debate and real tactical analysis begin…
33 Responses to “Arsenal vs Tottenham”
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December 21st, 2007 at 7:39 am
Tottenham’s defence is ripped apart by injury - no Bale, Dawson, King - but they still kept a clean sheet away to Man City midweek, which was surprising.
Their “protector”, Zokora, is also suspended.
Arsenal’s 1st team has had a nice long rest, I see them improving over last weeks win at Chelsea, with slicker passing moves and better movement off the ball.
Even against a full strength Tottenham I would fancy Arsenal to win at home, but with their injuries and all our big players back, I am probably more confident going into this derby than I ever have been.
It’s all about Arsenal, if the team plays to its best Tottenham have no chance.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:53 am
In news just in ..Arsenal will have to take on AC Milan in the next round …well..i think i can see some people not being happy with this ..I think it’s a good draw for us.
Have been saying that it wuld be better to play a big team early..and i think i’ve got my wish. If Arsenal get by Milan..then the confidence is going to be sky high and we may be able to go all the way this year.
I know it’s a big IF
..but on the other hand if we lose to them..we would have probably lost to them at a later stage as well….plus we’ll be free to concentrate on the league 
Cheers,
Wayne
December 21st, 2007 at 7:58 am
We should see off Spurs without too much trouble. We are at full strength and Spurs are rocked with injuries.
As for Milan, anything can happen. On the one hand, they can be seen as an ageing side with no pace. On the other hand, they have loads and loads of experience, while our young team is totally devoid of experience in the big Euro stage.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:14 am
I am not at all disappointed by the draw…in fact I was praying for AC Milan. I feel we have a good chance at them this season. They aren’t doing too well in their league but u gotta throw all that out the window when it comes to the Champion’s league. They are by far the most dominant and consistent team of this decade in the Champion’s League.
I just can’t wait for February to arrive. The world will be up for a spectacle…Youth vs. Age.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:05 am
Great preview. I too an learning about Arsenal’s history bit by bit. Wasn’t a fan in 1919!!, but such intrigue is fascinating. A lot of things pointing in our favor but I fear a touch of complacency. Keane and Berbatov link up well together and only need a long ball from Robinson to start their interplay. I look to van Persie especially to obliterate whatever defense comes in. Rocha is apparently back in training today and Dawson is a doubt with migranes- they will take some risks in selection because they have little option. How can anyone not pick Arsenal to win this one is beyond me.. I’d be most impressed if we keep a clean sheet.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:17 am
I’m in DC visiting the in-laws. Can anyone tell which is a better spot to watch the Sp*rs game - Lucky’s Bar or Summer’s?
Cheers.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:25 am
Yes this is one we definitely should win. I would be very dissappointed if we do not get all three points against Spurs at the Emirates especially considering Everton and Pompy away coming up next. One thing is for certain this game will be entertaining as always….cant wait! Gunners 3-0
December 21st, 2007 at 11:34 am
Thanks SachinG.. awesome preview. For a ‘new’ fan like me who started supporting AFC in 2001-02 its a wonderful insight into the club’s history. BTW been meaning to ask you for a while now…ur name sounds very Indian…any Indian roots by any chance?
As for the game Spurs will be up for this one big time and its never easy by any stretch of your imagination however much form might point toward either team. However on form we should win this one. Here’s the team I think AW will put out:
Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy
Hleb Flamini Cesc Mozart
Adebayor RVP/Eduardo(RVP on 65″)
Should win this one though 2-0 if we can keep out the threat of set pieces.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Thanks GunningSteve & LDE. I had been supporting Arsenal for about 16 years before I learned why Spurs hated the team. No wonder the concept of a derby sunk in late with me. But now, despite years of restraint, I can’t stand Spurs and wish for emphatic wins.
LDE: yeah Indian roots all the way back to Delhi
December 21st, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I am really intrigued as to who will be on the bench. Gilberto will be the only one with fresh legs IMO. Diarra, Diaby, Song, Bendtner, and Eduardo all played 120 minutes plus on Tuesday night. I would’ve included Walcott but perhaps some of them have recovered well and can play 20 minutes or so. I highly doubt Eduardo starts. So, same lineup as LDE but with RVP starting and playing at least 70 minutes. If it becomes a blowout I’d look to Wenger to sub with the Portsmouth game in mind.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
We got to stop Berbatov, he is the danger man. The other Spuds players are not in his league.
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:19 am
Fu*k!!!
I had a bad dream last night. I saw us drawing against the Spuds today, hope it won’t be like that.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:23 am
Where’ve you been Sheed? I had a worse premonition BTW; I got a hunch all of a sudden that we would have someone sent off today
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 am
Gallas acts like an @sshole on the pitch, but he’s our @sshole. What I mean is, I’d hate him in any other kit, yet I am somehow glad to have him advocating for his fellow players.
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:42 am
We are looking very slugish
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
is anyone else getting utterly fed up with this 4-5-1???
why play 4-5-1 at home against inferior opposition who ARE playing 4-4-2????
i just hate the way wenger sticks to something and wont budge even after the conditions have passed. if we bottle it against milan i am quite sure it will be from a wenger f-ck up.
anyway, i think at this point diaby deserves more playing time than eboue. wasnt that cheating diver “injured” and needed to get stretched off last week???
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
ahahaha, just as i was bitching about it.
adebayor, the undisputed spurs-killer lol. and robinson his faithful customer.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:19 am
Almunia saves a penalty. Phew.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:20 am
Holy sh!t. Bendtner had a glorious, massive header for the lead.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Bendtner scores
YAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:40 am
Bye bye Lehmann. Almunia just looks better and better. Even Cech isn’t doing this well.
Anyone know what’s up with Van Persie, he didn’t even make the bench
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
Bottleham actually played pretty well today. Unfortunately…… they are still the BIGGEST BOTTLERS in the Premiership EVER!!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:43 am
Yup, Andez they are.
In they past, they have given up plenty of leads and today they had a chance to take the lead but they blew it.
The unbeaten Derby streak continues. Yah.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:43 am
Almunia made a good penalty save. But the Spurs goal……. Perhaps Berbertov scored a great goal, but i just can’t believe a ‘keeper can let him scored from that angle.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:45 am
Now let’s hope for a Man U Christmas party hangover!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 am
2-1 to the Arsenal, 2-1 to the Arsenal!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 am
bottle united! HA!
so we did the double over them LOL. actually the first time we have done the double over them in 3 or 4 years i think. so its sweet!
almunia’s save is probably gonna be the defining moment in his career. once your teammates trust you to make match-deciding saves, then you have arrived.
now, bendtner is a very important player that we must keep hold of for as long as possible. he is even more important in most games than eduardo.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:49 am
@ andez: OK, i missed their goal and almunia’s penalty save….will watch it on the highlights….
BUT if he has conceeded AGAIN from a tight angle at the near post then that would be very worrying!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
Certainly made hard work of it. Yes Fred, even I am getting little tired with this 4-5-1. Not because of the formation, but the players who form it. It leaves Ade totally stranded and he gets very frustrated. Once he got down the ball so well and crossed it into the box to find not a single player there. LDE asked why Wenger is weak at tactics. This is a good example.
Gallas was at fault for their goal. He let the ball go to Keane.
Did you see Almunia point his index finger after the win? The message was clear. I am #1. The future is looking bleak for Lehmann. Wenger has a big decision to make in Jan.
Hleb looked very off colour and Rosicky did well on our first goal. I was very pleased for Bendtner. Anybody still think he will be leaving in the summer? He is, at the moment, clearly the best of the rest of our strikers.
One concern. The whole first team had one week of rest. It didn’t show. It’s not going to get better with 3 more games in 11 games.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
At times, it looks like Berbatov struck it very well. At other times, it looks like Almunia should have done better. Since he saved the penalty, I’ll give him the benefit of doubt.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:56 am
Cesc had a big hand in both Arsenal goals. And a back-heel led to both Ade and Berbatov’s goals. Thrilled!!!
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:59 am
To be fair Berbatov’s shot took a deflection off Toure’s knee and it was that which fooled Almunia.
Good to know we can score two good goals like we did despite playing very poorly. I think this was definitely our worst performance of the season taking into consideration the players on the pitch.
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:06 am
Cracking win and a sluggish first half was compensated for by a wonderful second half. Point taken about tactics..DannyT in the CL thread. In big games AW isn’t the best around. Then again there was today when he subbed Eboue and Bendtner scores with his first touch. Inspired substitution? I guess people will say it was forced on him and that wasn’t tactics. Oh well..
As for the 4-5-1; it is only coz AW wants RVP fit for the whole season and not crock himself again. Plus Eduardo and Bendtner both played 120 minutes midweek in a big north west game. Coaxing another 90″ out might’ve been hard ; else he might have gone 4-4-2. Either way I’m actually tired of this formation talk ; when either way we never stick to formations .. how many times do you see Hleb/Rosicky stick to their wings when we play 4-4-2 anyway or even Eboue or Theo to a lesser extent? Not many…its pretty mobile our entire formation and yes a 4-4-2 is more attacking but we’ve won a lot with the 4-5-1 as well and its not like the football has been as boring as that Slavia Prague away game. So why are we complaining?
As for the game I’ll wait for a post match thread for a change for Mike’s sake