By Tom Mison

One of the countries fierce and best rivalries is the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham takes place at the Emirates Stadium. With the teams drawing twice last season in the league, the games this season will harder to predict than ever. Here I look back at some of the most memorable games for these teams in this fixture.

Spurs

Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal- FA Cup Semi 1991

Embed from Getty Images

The FA Cup Semi-Final in 1991 between Tottenham and Arsenal was the first ever semi-final in the competition held at Wembley. It will also be forever remembered as ‘Gazza’s Day’. Having just recovered from a long term injury, the Tottenham star struck a 30 yard free kick straight into the top corner with only five minutes gone. This set the precedent for the game which saw Tottenham win 3-1. Not only did they get one over on fierce rivals Arsenal, they went on to win the cup that year, with Gascoigne scoring one of the greatest Wembley goals of all time in the process.

Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham- 2011

Embed from Getty Images

Spurs went into this game at the Emirates having not won an away game against Arsenal for 17 years. This trend looked set to continue when two first half goals saw Tottenham go in at half-time 2-0 down. However, they went on to record a miraculous comeback, with goals from Gareth Bale, a penalty from Rafael Van Der Vaart and a header late on from Younes Kaboul giving Tottenham the three points, a spectacular comeback and a first away win in nearly two decades against their rivals.

Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal- 2008

Embed from Getty Images

Another North London Derby, another semi-final, another Tottenham win. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the game went to White Hart Lane for a second clash. Spurs were rampant, scoring five goals that night. After such a resounding win over their rivals, Spurs went on to win the final against Chelsea, their first silverware for 17 years.

Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham- 2008

Embed from Getty Images

This game came at a time where Tottenham were in turmoil. 2 points from their opening 8 games saw the side sack manager Juande Ramos and appoint Englishman Harry Redknapp. For only his second game in charge, Redknapp took Spurs to the Emirates. The game started well for Spurs, with an amazing strike from David Bentley giving them the lead. However, they were pegged back not once, not twice but three times as they went 3-1 down in the second half. A goal from Darren Bent looked to give them hope again but Arsenal scored a fourth to re-extend their two goal lead. With only 2 minutes plus stoppage time to come and Spurs needing two goals to salvage a point, it was looking bleak. However, two goals in the last 5 minutes meant that Spurs had earned a point out of nothing.

Arsenal

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal- 2004

Embed from Getty Images

To win the league at your local rivals’ ground would be a particularly good feat for any club to achieve. That is exactly what Arsenal did in 2004. During their incredible invincible season where they went the whole year without losing a game, they went to White Hart Lane knowing one point would win them the title. Naturally, Spurs were desperate to win the game so they could end the unbeaten streak and stop Arsenal winning the league. However, the trophy looked destined for

Arsenal when they went 2-0 up within just three minutes. A spirited comeback from Spurs meant the game finished 2-2 but this wasn’t enough to stop the incredible force that this Arsenal team had become. For the second time, Arsenal had clinched the league at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham- 2012

Embed from Getty Images

2012 was a year that saw Tottenham visit the Emirates twice, once at the backend of the 2011/12 season and once nearer the beginning of the 2012/13 season. Both games ended in the same score line, a 5-2 victory for Arsenal. In the February game, Spurs took a 2-0 lead in the first half, only to concede twice before half-time meaning it was 2-2. The Gunners then came out rampant in the second half, scoring a further three times and that’s how it finished. In the November encounter, Spurs again went 1-0 up before having their goal scorer and controversial North London Derby man Emmanuel Adebayor sent off. This boosted the home team who went 4-1 up before Spurs pulled one back. Any whispers of what happened in 2008 where Spurs came back to draw 4-4 with Arsenal were soon muted by a fifth goal from Theo Walcott and that’s how it stayed. To beat your rivals twice in the same calendar year, scoring ten goals in the process, certainly gave Arsenal major bragging rights.

Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal- 2004

Embed from Getty Images

One of the highest scoring North London derbies ever, saw Arsenal come out on top as they so often did when playing their rivals at the beginning of the 21st Century. Arsenal went 1-0 down before scoring three goals to give themselves a two goal cushion just after half time. Tottenham then made it 3-2, but Arsenal restored their two goal lead by making it 4-2. Spurs wouldn’t give up as they scored again to make it 4-3 but once more Arsenal regained a two goal lead by making it 5-3. Arsenal did concede again but that’s how it stayed meaning that Arsenal had once again beaten Tottenham.