Sunday sees Premier League leaders Arsenal welcome rivals Tottenham to the Emirates Stadium for the 198th North London derby.
There is no love lost between the pair and, while the Gunners have had their rivals’ number over the years, with their 84 derby wins being 22 more than Spurs have achieved, the Lilywhites have had their fair share of memorable moments in this fixture over the years, too.
From nine-goal thrillers to topsy-turvy clashes to FA Cup semi-finals, the North London derby rarely disappoints and we have picked out the 10 best to set the scene ahead of Sunday’s showdown, with Arsenal the favourites in the Premier League betting to triumph.
10. Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham (February 2012)
Comeback victories are always sweeter when they come against your rivals, as Arsenal found out in the 2011-12 Premier League season.
A deflected strike from Louis Saha and a penalty from former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor gave Spurs a commanding lead at the Emirates after just 34 minutes. However, it wasn’t to be for Harry Redknapp’s side.
Arsenal fought back thanks to a Theo Walcott brace, as well as goals from Bacary Sagna, Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky, to land a stunning 5-2 victory – a scoreline they would replicate in the next North London derby just nine months later.
9. Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal (April 2017)
The final North London derby at White Hart Lane may not have provided the goals of past meetings but it delivered something Spurs fans had been waiting for for 22 years.
Dele Alli and Harry Kane – the leading scorer in North London derbies – netted to hand Tottenham a 2-0 victory which ensured the Lilywhites finished above their rivals for the first time since 1995.
The scoreline and game was unremarkable, but the home fans will have loved every minute as they beat their rivals for the last time at their spiritual home.
8. Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal (March 1987)
Never celebrate too early. Tottenham found this out the hard way in 1987 as legend has it the club had begun circulating ticket details for the League Cup final after their 1-0 victory over their rivals in the first leg of the semis.
Arsenal landed a 2-1 victory in the second leg, however, and rubbed salt in the wounds of Spurs and their premature celebrators by winning the third leg – penalty shootouts had not been introduced yet – by the same scoreline.
Goals from Charlie Nicholas and Ian Allinson secured a memorable victory and took Arsenal to the final, where they defeated Liverpool 2-1.
7. Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal (January 2008)
Spurs had to wait 21 years to get their League Cup revenge, but did so emphatically, routing their rivals 5-1 thanks to strikes from Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon and Steed Malbranque, as well as a Nicklas Bendtner own goal.
Tottenham would go on to lift the trophy, too, beating another London rival, Chelsea, in the final, making this North London derby one which will not be forgotten by the Lilywhites faithful anytime soon.
6. Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (May 1971)
Everyone remembers when Arsenal won the league at White Hart Lane in 2004 – more on that later – but what if I told you that wasn’t the first time they achieved that feat?
The Gunners headed to White Hart Lane knowing anything other than a win or goalless draw would hand the title to Leeds United, so nerves would have been jangling with the score sitting at 0-0 with three minutes remaining.
Tottenham would have loved to spoil their rivals’ party and gave their all before Ray Kennedy wrote his name into Arsenal folklore by heading in the winner, sending the away fans into raptures and leaving the home supporters in despair.
5. Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham (November 2010)
Given their dismal Premier League record at Highbury, Tottenham were hoping they could fare better at their rivals’ shiny new ground, the Emirates. However, that wasn’t to be the case as they had to wait four years for a first win there.
What a victory it was, though, as that sweet comeback feeling went in their favour this time. Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh fired Arsenal into a first-half lead, yet Spurs showed the fight their fans desired after the break.
Gareth Bale pulled one back before Rafael van der Vaart levelled things up from the penalty spot.
Younes Kaboul was the unlikely hero in the 85th minute, handing Spurs a first Emirates victory. It’s just a shame they haven’t enjoyed another since – maybe that will change on Sunday.
4. Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal (November 2004)
Many would expect the highest-scoring North London derby to land higher on this list but, unfortunately, the overall quality of the game wasn’t exactly the best.
It was mockingly described as a hockey score by Jose Mourinho and it is easy to see why, as calamitous defending from both sides led to a scrappy game and a ludicrous nine goals.
It was a great game for the neutral and there were some clever goals from Robert Pires and Thierry Henry, but the levels of drama cannot match the three remaining derbies.
3. Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal (May 2004)
Arsenal win the league at White Hart Lane: the sequel. The Gunners’ invincible season is memorable for so many reasons and it is fitting that they got to wrap up the title in perfect fashion.
Tottenham would have loved to be the only team to defeat Arsene Wenger’s side in the league that season but a spirited comeback draw wasn’t enough to cancel out Patrick Vieira and Pires’ strikes.
It was North London derby deja vu as those in the home stands at White Hart Lane sprinted for the exit, while those in the away end jumped for joy for the second time in 33 years.
2. Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham (October 2008)
There may have been one fewer goal in this North London derby than the one four years prior, but this topsy-turvy thriller is certainly more memorable.
A stunning David Bentley volley set the tone, but Tottenham’s celebrations were short-lived as Mikael Silvestre and future Spurs players William Gallas and Adebayor fired Arsenal into a 3-1 lead.
Darren Bent pulled one back for the hosts in the 67th minute, only for Van Persie to restore Arsenal’s two-goal advantage 60 seconds later. Amazingly, the drama wasn’t done.
A Gael Clichy slip allowed Jenas to set up a nervy finish and, with the score at 4-3 in the 95th minute, Luka Modric let fly from range.
His stunning effort crashed off the post, but Lennon was on hand to slot home, silence the Emirates and send the white side of North London into pandemonium.
1. Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal (April 1991)
Unless you’re an Arsenal fan, there can only be one number one. FA Cup clash? Check. Place in the final up for grabs? Check. First semi-final at Wembley? Check. Paul Gascoigne? The biggest check you could imagine.
Gazza had played just 60 minutes in the month leading up to the semi-final, but to say he returned with a bang would be an understatement.
The game is now known as the Gazza final, with his unbelievable performance and stunning 30-yard free-kick stealing the show.
A brace from Gary Lineker ensured Alan Smith’s goal was nothing but a consolation as Tottenham booked their place in the final, which they won, and Gazza etched his name into Spurs folklore.
