ARSENAL AND TOTTENHAM have met no fewer than 168 times in their history with the Gunners amassing 70 victories to Spurs’ 45. There have also been 53 draws over the years which goes some way towards indicating just how close tomorrow’s 169th meeting will be.
To whet your appetite, here are seven of our favourite North London derbies.
1. Tottenham 0-5 Arsenal, 1978
This was the first North London Derby for two years and was dominated by an away team whose performance was orchestrated Liam Brady. Alan Sunderland’s hat-trick earned him Man-of-the-Match honours but Brady’s strike – 15 minutes into this video – is one that lives long in the memory of Arsenal fans.
2. Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal, 1988
All five goals in this game came in the space of just 12 first-half minutes with Nigel Winterburn being the unlikely first goal-scorer. Despite Arsenal winning the game, it will probably be best remembered for a youthful Gazza scoring with his sock.
3. Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal, 1991
Once again it was Paul Gascoigne who stole the show with a cracking 35-yard free kick after just five minutes. Gary Linekar scored Spurs’ other two goals while Alan Smith popped up with a consolation for Arsenal.
4. Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal, 2004
Incredibly, all nine goals in this fixture were scored by nine different players. The game had see-sawed all afternoon with both sides swapping the lead before Robert Pires put two between them with just nine minutes left. A late strike from Freddie Kanoute with two minutes left set up a grand finale but Spurs couldn’t find an equaliser.
5. Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, 2008
This was Harry Redknapps first game in charge for Spurs and the away side looked dead and buried when Robin Van Persie gave Arsenal a 4-2 lead. However, two goals from Aaron Lennon in the last two minutes rescued a point for the visitors.
6. Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal, 2008
There are some who would argue that this League Cup victory over Arsenal was Harry Redknapp’s finest hour as Spurs boss. Tottenham ran riot over the Gunners, scoring after just three minutes and adding four more to book their place in the League Cup final where they eventually went on to beat Chelsea.
7. Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham 2, 2012
Spurs fans must have thought they were dreaming when they saw their side race into a two goal lead last February. However, the dream soon turned into a nightmare for the visitors as Arsenal scored five unanswered goals to beat their bitter rivals.
