Arsenal v Tottenham: A look-back at iconic north London derbies

Sport360 staff 09:41 01/12/2018
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    Unai Emery gets his first taste of the north London derby when Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

    The fixture rarely passes by without incident, and here, we look back at five memorable matches between the two sides.

    TOTTENHAM 3 ARSENAL 1, FA Cup semi-final, April 14, 1991

    1991: Paul Gascoigne #8 of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his 35 yard goal during the FA Cup Semi-Final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium in London. Tottenham Hotspur won the match 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport

    Paul Gascoigne celebrates his 35-yard stunner during the FA Cup semi-final.

    Less than 12 months after starring in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, Paul Gascoigne took centre stage again in Tottenham’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal.

    In the first-ever FA Cup last-four tie at Wembley, Gascoigne made his mark after just five minutes with a free-kick, still celebrated today, as one of the finest seen in the world’s oldest cup competition.

    Gascoigne, who had barely played in the weeks building up to the game following stomach surgery, fired in a 35-yard thunderbolt to leave David Seaman with no chance.

    Gary Lineker doubled Tottenham’s lead before Alan Smith grabbed one back for the shell-shocked Gunners. Lineker struck again in the second half to put the game out of Arsenal’s reach as Spurs booked their place in the final.

    TOTTENHAM 2 ARSENAL 2, Premier League, April 25, 2004

    LONDON - APRIL 25: Frederic Kanoute of Spurs clashes with Ashley Cole of Arsenal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 25, 2004 in London. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

    Frederic Kanoute clashes with Ashley Cole.

    Arsenal headed to White Hart Lane knowing that a draw would be enough to seal the championship, and Arsene Wenger’s side raced into a 2-0 lead when Patrick Vieira converted from close range after only three minutes.

    Robert Pires added a second for the champions-elect following a blistering counter-attack 10 minutes before the interval.

    Tottenham struck back in the second half, with Jamie Redknapp scoring shortly after the hour mark. Jens Lehmann then gave away a daft penalty in the closing stages, which was converted by Robbie Keane.

    But Spurs could not prevent their rivals from sealing the title at White Hart Lane, as the Gunners later ended their historic title-winning campaign with 26 victories, 12 draws, and, crucially, no defeats.

    TOTTENHAM 4 ARSENAL 5, Premier League, November 13, 2004

    LONDON - NOVEMBER 13: Freddie Ljungberg celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on November 13, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

    Freddie Ljungberg celebrates his goal.

    Six months after winning the league at White Hart Lane, the Gunners returned to Tottenham for another spell-binding encounter, and what would prove the highest-scoring derby of the Premier League era.

    The hosts took a surprise lead through a Noureddine Naybet volley, only for Thierry Henry to equalise. Lauren then struck from the penalty spot with Vieira adding a third for Arsenal.

    Jermain Defoe looked to have given Spurs a lifeline before Freddie Ljungberg restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead. Ledley King headed home, Pires scored, and then Fredi Kanoute netted the ninth goal of the match, and the seventh in 33 frantic second-half minutes. Wenger’s side held on to seal three astonishing points.

    TOTTENHAM 5 ARSENAL1, League Cup semi-final second leg, January 22, 2008

    LONDON - JANUARY 22: The Tottenham players celebrate after the Carling Cup Semi-final second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on January 22, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

    The Tottenham players celebrate after the Carling Cup semi-final second leg win.

    Spurs headed into the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final without a win against their rivals in nearly nine years. But where David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini, Martin Jol and Clive Allen all tried, and failed, Juande Ramos masterminded Tottenham’s first victory against Wenger’s Arsenal since 1999.

    Remarkably, Spurs were 4-0 up by the hour mark following strikes from Jermaine Jenas, Keane, Aaron Lennon and a Nicklas Bendtner own goal.

    Substitute Emmanuel Adebayor gave Arsenal a glimmer of hope when he scored with 20 minutes remaining, but Steed Malbranque put the finishing touches on a fine win in injury time to send the home supporters wild.

    ARSENAL 4 TOTTENHAM 4, Premier League, October 29, 2008

    LONDON - OCTOBER 29: William Gallas of Arsenal scores the second goal for Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on October 29, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

    William Gallas of Arsenal scores the second goal for Arsenal in a crazy game.

    When Harry Redknapp was a manager, and not eating creepy crawlies in the Australian outback, he earned a stunning point in his first game as Spurs boss.

    Redknapp appeared to be heading for a defeat after William Gallas, Adebayor and Robin van Persie all scored in 22 second-half minutes to give the hosts a 4-2 lead.

    But Jenas pulled one back in the 89th minute for the visitors before Lennon latched on to Luka Modric’s deflected shot, which rebounded off the upright, to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game. 

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