One of the Premier League’s biggest fixtures returns this weekend when Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal resume hostilities in the first north London derby of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. It is a huge rivalry that has featured countless unforgettable matches, goals, players, and incidents down the years.
Adrian Kajumba looks at 10 memorable moments between these two sides from the Premier League era.
Campbell’s return to Spurs - November 2001
If Sol Campbell was in any doubt about how controversial his move to Arsenal was, seeing his older brother Tony among the Spurs crowd venting their fury at him when he made his White Hart Lane return would have emphatically ended that. Campbell discovered the depth of ill-feeling towards him before, during and after the match as he ran the gauntlet in his first appearance back at Spurs a few months later. Manager Arsene Wenger praised Campbell for showing “formidable strength” to produce an “outstanding performance” in extremely hostile circumstances during the 1-1 draw.
Henry’s wonder goal - November 2002
“It will stay for a long time, that goal and that celebration,” Thierry Henry once said as he reflected on his stunning solo strike in this 3-0 win. In a moment that typified him in his unstoppable pomp, Henry collected possession deep in his own half, left one Spurs midfielder trailing in his wake and wrong-footed two more defenders as he approached the edge of their box, before firing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
Arsenal’s White Hart Lane title win - April 2004
Arsenal had won the league at White Hart Lane before, in 1971, but had added reason to milk the moment when history repeated itself towards the end of their 2003/04 “Invincibles” campaign. Nine-goal thriller - November 2004 Almost seven months later the two teams were back at White Hart Lane, serving up another breathless and eventful instalment in the history of this rivalry.
Bentley's stunning volley - October 2008
A piece of eagle-eyed opposition analysis was the inspiration for one of the most unforgettable north London derby goals. David Bentley scored it against his old club, netting an outrageous 40-yard dipping volley to kickstart one of the matches of the season, a rollercoaster 4-4 draw in Harry Redknapp’s first league match as Spurs manager, with one of the goals of the 2008/09 season.
Rose’s fairytale debut - April 2010
Danny Rose’s Spurs Premier League debut will forever be remembered for the way he marked it with a goal that was beyond his wildest dreams.
Podolski’s away end celebrations - March 2014
Derby wins are victories to savor, especially landmark ones. And Lukas Podolski memorably did just that after Arsenal secured their first league success at Spurs in seven years.
Spurs’ masked hero Kane - March 2016
What it means to Harry Kane to score in a north London derby was perfectly encapsulated in one emotional celebration in March 2016.
Lamela’s rabona goal - March 2021
Erik Lamela was no stranger to a rabona goal having previously scored a jaw-dropping one in an October 2014 UEFA Europa League tie against Greek side Asteras Tripolis.
Saka’s heartwarming welcome back - August 2021
For all the intensity and animosity in this rivalry, some things are bigger than football. That was certainly the case when Bukayo Saka received a heartwarming reception from Spurs fans in a pre-season match back in 2021. In a further show of solidarity, a banner was also displayed during the pre-season friendly carrying the message “North London stands with Bukayo Saka and all players against racism and discrimination.” The generous welcome did not go unnoticed.