Five memorable north London derbies ahead of Arsenal v Tottenham

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

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

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 Arsenal 1, League Cup semi-final second leg, January 22, 2008

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, Robbie 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

When Harry Redknapp was a football 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.