Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are two of the biggest rivals in England. The pair have battled on and off the field for North London supremacy, and the rivalry has been ongoing since the early 1900s.
The North London Derby has grown into one of the biggest derbies in world football. We look back at the history of the Arsenal vs Tottenham rivalry, the head-to-head record between the Gunners and Spurs, and how to bet on the North London Derbies in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Arsenal
Arsenal are the third-most successful club in England when it comes to trophies. The Gunners have won 49 domestic and European cups, including 13 top-flight English titles.
In the Premier League era, Arsenal have claimed the crown three times, giving Arsenal fans something to be proud of. Arsene Wenger was a breath of fresh air when he took over at Highbury in 1996, guiding Arsenal to three Premier League titles during his successful 22-year stay in North London.
Arsenal are also record FA Cup winners, lifting the famous trophy 14 times. Their last FA Cup success came under Mikel Arteta in 2020. The Gunners have also won two League Cups and were UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup winners in 1994.
Arsenal have had several superstar foreign players, including Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires. As for British players, Tony Adams, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and Ian Wright have all played pivotal roles in the club’s recent history.
Wenger spent over two decades as Arsenal’s manager. In the 2003-04 season, the Frenchman took Arsenal to the title with an unbeaten record. Other notable managers are George Graham, Bertie Mee, and Tom Whittaker. Mikel Arteta has been the manager since 2019, and the Gunners are certainly heading in the right direction under the Spaniard.
Tottenham
Tottenham are the third-most successful London club in English football. Arsenal and Chelsea have won more trophies, but Spurs have won 26 major honours.
Tottenham have won just two first-tier league titles, with the last of those coming in 1961. However, they have been regular cup winners over the decades, lifting the FA Cup eight times and the League Cup on four occasions.
Tottenham won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 and were UEFA Cup winners in 1972 and 1984. More recently, the Lilywhites reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, losing out to fellow Premier League side Liverpool at the last hurdle.
Spurs have managed to attract several of the world’s best head coaches. Mauricio Pochettino took Tottenham to the Champions League final, and Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have both managed the club in recent years. They pushed for the title in 2016 and have been in the Champions League on numerous occasions.
Tottenham have had a whole host of top players over the years. The likes of Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, Gareth Bale, Paul Gascoigne, Luka Modric, and Harry Kane have represented the club.
History of the North London Derby
Arsenal were founded in 1886 at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich and were originally known as Dial Square. As for Tottenham, they were formed in 1882 as the Hotspur Football Club.
Although the two teams had met before, the rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham didn’t really kick off until 1913, when Arsenal moved from Manor Ground in Plumstead to Highbury.
Arsenal’s new location was just four miles away from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane venue, which was right on Spurs’ doorstep. Needless to say, Tottenham opposed the move, and the North London Derby was born.
The matchup between the pair is one of the fiercest in world football, and it’s certainly the biggest London Derby. Due to Tottenham’s recent success, the derby has been far more competitive on the field of late.
The London sides have battled it out for a top-four place in the Premier League in recent times, and they have been far more evenly matched on and off the pitch over the past decade or so.
Millions tune in to watch the North London Derby, and the game is always a sell-out at both stadiums.
Classic North London Derby Moments
There have been countless memorable North London Derbies and controversial moments between the two teams over the years.
The most iconic celebration in a North London Derby goes to Thierry Henry. Arsenal were on fire at the time, and Arsene Wenger’s men picked up a 3-0 win at Highbury in 2002. Henry scored a tremendous solo goal and celebrated by sliding on his knees. The pose is now a statue outside the Emirates.
On their way to the Premier League title in the ‘Invincibles’ season, Arsenal clinched the championship in a famous battle at White Hart Lane. Despite squandering a two-goal lead, the 2-2 draw was enough for the Gunners. The players joyfully celebrated on Spurs’ turf at the final whistle.
One of the best games between the two teams was an Emirates night fixture in the league in October 2008. David Bentley put Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham in front with one of the best North London Derby goals. However, Tottenham found themselves 3-1 and 4-2 down. Undeterred, late goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon rescued a 4-4 draw for the Lilywhites.
White Hart Lane was one of the most iconic English stadiums. The final North London Derby at Tottenham’s old home was a fitting one, as club legend Harry Kane scored the final goal in a memorable 2-0 Tottenham win. Spurs went on to finish 11 points above the Gunners that season.
Not many players have crossed the divide and played for both clubs, but Sol Campbell’s transfer from Tottenham to Arsenal in 2001 shocked the football world. The move was greeted with serious backlash from the Spurs fans, and Campbell’s name is not to be spoken on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium terraces.
The North London Derby Today
The North London Derby is one of the standout fixtures on the English football calendar these days. The two teams have met home and away during every single season of the Premier League.
In the 2022-23 season, Arsenal did the league double over their neighbours. It was the first time they had beaten Tottenham home and away in a league campaign since the 2013-14 season.
The Gunners were outstanding in the meeting at the Emirates in October 2022, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, and Granit Xhaka. In January 2023, a Hugo Lloris own goal and a Martin Odegaard strike gave Arsenal a comfortable 2-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Betting on the North London Derby
At talkSPORT BET, you can bet on both North London Derbies in the 2023-24 Premier League season. You can take advantage of our in-play options when the game is being played, and there will be a whole host of pre-match markets available.
You can also bet on the outright winner of the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s men pushed Manchester City all the way in the race for the title in the 2022-23 season, narrowly missing out in the end.
Tottenham are hoping to have a steady season under new boss Ange Postecoglou. After missing out on the top four last term, can Spurs take a Champions League place this season? You can back Spurs to secure a top-four finish in our Premier League outrights.
Remember that placing North London Derby bets should only ever be for fun. For more information and to see what tools we offer to aid responsible betting, visit our Safer Gambling Portal.
Be sure to look out for our Premier League football offers throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
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Head-To-Head Comparison
The first official meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham took place way back in 1909. Arsenal picked up a narrow 1-0 win in a Football League First Division fixture.
They have gone on to meet 193 times in various competitions over the years. Arsenal have won 81 North London Derbies, with 70 of those coming in the league. Spurs have beaten their rivals 61 times, securing 55 league victories. Arsenal also have the edge over their rivals in FA Cup and League Cup meetings.
