Tottenham and Arsenal have produced some truly memorable matches over the years, here are five of the best.
Tottenham Hotspur’s rivalry with Arsenal is one that runs deep.
Ever since the Gunners moved from their Woolwich-based ground to Highbury in 1913, the two sides have undergone a fierce rivalry.
Goals and drama galore, the North London derby is regarded as one of the most entertaining derbies in modern times.
With that being said, there have been some true classics between the pair over the years and The Spurs News ranks five of the best here…
Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham – 2008/09
An absolute Premier League classic to kick off this list. Tottenham’s dramatic 4-4 draw away at the Emirates perfectly encapsulates how crazy and entertaining the North London derby can be.
4-2 down with only a minute of normal time to go, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs somehow managed to snatch a draw after they were seemingly dead and buried.
A beautiful solo strike from Jermaine Jenas on 89 minutes gave the Lilywhites a glimmer of hope heading into added time before Aaron Lennon secured the comeback after he slotted home the equaliser following a deflected strike from Luka Modric.
A totally bonkers game of football that firmly holds it’s place in Spurs folk law.
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal – 2022/23
The most recent entry on this list, Tottenham played host to their North London rivals in a match that would ultimately decide who qualified for the Champions League that season.
Arsenal visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with fourth place in their grasp, they however would leave N17 empty-handed as Antonio Conte’s Spurs ran rampant.
Tottenham legend Harry Kane opened the scoring after 22 minutes before Arsenal’s Rob Holding saw red after a second booking. The Lilywhites would soon take advantage of the sending-off, with Kane adding a second just before the break.
Heung-min Son would then round off the victory for Spurs in the second half, smashing home to make it 3-0. The following weeks would see the Lilywhites leapfrog their fierce rivals into fourth spot with Arsenal’s collapse away at Newcastle ultimately handing Tottenham Champions League qualification.
Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal – 1990/91 FA Cup semi-final
Arguably one of the most iconic matches in Tottenham history, the Lilywhites bagged themselves a spot in the FA Cup final, beating their arch-rivals in the process.
Facing off at the old Wembley, Spurs raced into an early lead thanks to a magical free-kick from Paul Gascoigne, a goal that lives long in the memory of Tottenham supporters. Spurs hitman Gary Lineker would then make it 2-0 after ten minutes sending the Spurs end into pandemonium.
The Gunners clawed one back just before half-time through Alan Smith but the Lilywhites would hold onto their lead, eventually securing the victory in the 78th minute with Lineker grabbing his second of the afternoon.
Tottenham’s victory earned them a place in the final against Nottingham Forest with Terry Venables’ side going on to win the final 2-1 – a record eighth FA Cup crown for Spurs.
Tottenham 5-0 Arsenal – 1982/83
There is simply nothing worse as a supporter, than seeing your team being thrashed by your closest rivals.
Well, that’s what happened to Arsenal fans back in 1983, as Keith Burkinshaw’s Tottenham ran rampant against the Gunners.
Goals from Chris Houghton, Mark Falco and Alan Brazil inspired Spurs to their joint-highest victory against Arsenal – a record that still stands today.
Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal – 2008/09 League Cup semi-final
A truly special night at White Hart Lane, Tottenham embarrassed Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in a 5-1 victory – a win which secured Spurs a place in the League Cup final.
Having drawn the first leg 1-1 at the Emirates, Spurs entered the second leg with huge hope of reaching Wembley – despite having failed to beat the Gunners since 1999.
Tottenham’s nerves however would soon flitter away as Jermaine Jenas fired Spurs into the lead after just three minutes.
Jenas’ opener was then followed by goals from Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon, and a Nicklas Bendtner own goal, which sent the Lilywhites into an unexpected 4-0 lead.
Emmanuel Adebayor would peg a goal back for the Gunners before Steed Malbranque rounded off a five-star performance in the 94th minute.
Spurs would of course go on to win the final against another of one of their rivals, with Jonathan Woodgate’s extra-time header winning Tottenham the League Cup against Chelsea.
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