North London Derby: The Timeless Rivalry Between Arsenal and Tottenham

The fiercest “derby” in London will be witnessed again this weekend. This rivalry undoubtedly lives up to its reputation, with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal holding the Premier League record for the most matches in which both teams have scored, with a total of 43 games.

It’s also one of the most thrilling matches in Premier League history, as it holds the record for the fewest wins by the team that scores first. The excitement is guaranteed, as this fixture also holds the record for the most penalties awarded, with a total of 26.

Simply put, anything can happen in this derby. Tottenham has lost five of their last seven encounters with Arsenal. Meanwhile, Arsenal has claimed all three points in their last two visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and has won nine of their last ten away matches overall.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham dates back to the early 20th century. The hostility flared up in 1913 when the “Gunners” decided to relocate from South London to North London, right into the heart of Tottenham’s territory.

Arsenal was founded in 1886 in South London, while their neighbors Tottenham had been established four years earlier (1882) in North London. Arsenal’s move to the north caused anger among Tottenham, who feared losing their fan base to the Gunners, which some sources suggest happened due to Arsenal’s success, especially in modern football by winning every possible English trophy.

challenge this view, suggesting that Arsenal’s move from south to north did not significantly impact Tottenham’s popularity due to any technical superiority. The real problem occurred when Arsenal was promoted to the First Division in 1904.

That same year, businessman Henry Norris took over Arsenal, and his first decision was to relocate the club and its stadium. He saw North London as the perfect place to rebuild the “Gunners,” believing that the club’s geographical isolation had caused a decline in fans and attendance compared to other clubs, which had led to financial crises that forced Arsenal into bankruptcy in 1910.

The club moved from Manor Ground to Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium, just four miles from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane, in an area that Tottenham and their fans considered part of their territory.

Another factor that fueled the rivalry was Arsenal’s decision to feature a cannon in their club crest. Initially pointing east in the early 1920s, the cannon was reoriented in 1925 to face west, directly toward Tottenham. This move was seen as a provocative gesture that further fueled Spurs fans.

The rivalry reached new heights with high-profile transfers between the two clubs, most notably when former England international defender Sol Campbell made the controversial switch from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001. Spurs fans branded him a “Judas,” accusing him of betrayal. Campbell played a key role in many of Arsenal’s triumphs, and Gunners fans often mock their neighbors for their failure to secure the Premier League title or other major trophies.

The first match between the two teams was on December 4, 1909, in a league match, where Arsenal won 1-0.

Arsenal holds the record for the most wins in the North London Derby and achieved the biggest win in 1935 with a 6-0 victory.

Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the all-time top scorer in this derby, netting 10 goals—8 for Arsenal and 2 for Tottenham Hotspur.

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