Arsenal vs Spurs: 6 of the most memorable North London Derby moments

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The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham is arguably one of the most fiercely contested games in British football and it has produced some memorable moments through the years. From high scoring thrillers, to wonder goals to staggering comebacks, we’ve seen it all in the NLD’s and it’s no surprise that Arsenal vs Tottenham tickets are always in high demand.

Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable moments in recent memory from the games between Arsenal and Tottenham:

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal

On April 25th, 2004, Arsenal made the short trip to White Hart Lane knowing avoiding defeat would secure the Premier League title. Not only that, it would chalk off another game to maintain their march to ‘invincible’ status.  Tottenham fans were desperate to stop Arsenal from winning the title on their ground, and wanted to end their rivals long unbeaten run and ruin their chances of becoming ‘invincible’.

Arsenal made the perfect start and tore Spurs apart twice in the opening 35 minutes. First, Patrick Vieira finished off a superb move to open the scoring before Robert Pires doubled the Gunners advantage with a fine finish to make it 2-0 and put Arsenal on course to securing the title.

Tottenham staged a comeback with Jamie Redknapp halving the deficit before Robbie Keane made it 2-2 in the 90th minute after Jens Lehman had given away a late penalty. Arsenal held on for a 2-2 draw to wrap-up the title and they celebrated on the White Hart Lane pitch in front of the away fans. To make this victory extra special, Arsenal would go on to finish the season unbeaten and go down in history as one of the best teams in the game.

Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham

Back in February 2012, Arsenal produced a stunning comeback to beat their rivals 5-2 at the Emirates Stadium. Spurs opened the scoring early on through Luis Saha before Emmanuel Adebayor doubled their lead in the 34th minute. The striker had left Arsenal under acrimonious circumstances and celebrated widely in front of the Arsenal fans.

However, it was the Gunners who had the last laugh. Arsenal pulled one back through Bacary Sagna before Robin van Persie made it 2-2 just before half-time. Tomas Rosicky put Arsenal ahead in the 51st minute before Theo Walcott scored a quick-fire brace to secure a memorable comeback.

The following year, Arsenal repeated the feat, beating Tottenham 5-2 at the Emirates to continue their excellent record against their rivals.

Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal

Hot off the back of their invincible season, Arsenal put five past Spurs on their own patch the following November in 2004. Tottenham opened the scoring in the 36th minute through Noureddine Naybet before Thierry Henry levelled things up just before the break. A stunning second half produced seven goals, with Lauren putting Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot in the 55th minute.

Patrick Vieira made it 3-1 to the Gunners five minutes later but Spurs hit back immediately as Jermaine Defoe made the score 2-3 straight from the restart. Cesc Fabregas played in Freddie Ljungberg to restore Arsenal’s two-goal advantage but Tottenham refused to lie down and Ledley King pulled it back to 3-4 in the 75th minute.

Arsenal continued to push and made it 5-3 in the 80th minute through Robert Pires. That should have put the game to bed but Spurs ensured it would be a nervy final few minutes as Frederic Kanoute made it 4-5 in the 88th minute. Arsenal managed to hold on to secure a stunning 5-4 win at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal

This game wasn’t as much a classic, but it was remembered for Sol Campbell’s return to Tottenham. After coming through the ranks at the club, Spurs fans hoped Campbell would go on to become a legend at White Hart Lane. However, those hopes were dashed when the defender shocked the footballing world by joining fierce rivals Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001. To make matters worse, Spurs fans accused Campbell of going back on his word about signing a new contract at the club and also that he would never play for Arsenal.

Unsurprisingly, Campbell was given a hostile reception when he made his first return to White Hart Lane in November 2001. The England international was booed every time he touched the ball, with some fans displaying banners in the stands accusing Campbell of being a ‘Judas’. The actual game was almost secondary, with the two rivals playing out a 1-1 draw. Arsene Wenger praised Campbell for his ‘outstanding’ performance under tough conditions.

Campbell would have the last laugh as he proved he was right to turn his back on Tottenham after winning two league titles at Arsenal, including playing a key role in the invincible season.

Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham

Arsenal ran out comfortable winners in the NLD in November 2002 to continue their superb record against Tottenham. This particular game at Highbury would be remembered for a stunning goal by superstar Thierry Henry.

The Frenchman opened the scoring with a wonder solo goal that will live long in the memory. Henry picked up the ball deep into his own half and went on a slaloming run, evading numerous Tottenham challenges and wrong footing two defenders before curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the area – on his weaker foot!

It was a superb goal, and a celebration to match as Henry’s now iconic knee slide in front of the away fans has been immortalised in his bronze statue outside of the Emirates Stadium.

Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord added two more goals for Arsenal in the second half to secure a 3-0 win but it was Henry’s stunner that was the talking point after the game.

Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham

The two NLD giants played out another thriller, this time in October 2004 at the Emirates Stadium. David Bentley had put Spurs ahead before Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas made it 2-1 for Arsenal with goals either side of half-time. Emmanuel Adebayor put Arsenal 3-1 up before Darren Bent pulled one back for Tottenham.

Just a minute later, van Perise looked to have sealed a win for the Gunners by making it 4-2 in the 68th minute and that’s how the score remained until the 89th minute. Just as Arsenal appeared to be cruising to three points, Spurs staged a stunning late comeback with Jermaine Jenas making it 4-3 before Aaron Lennon scored a dramatic late equaliser in the 94th minute.

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