5. 2010/11 – Arsenal 3 Tottenham 3
Both sides needed a win – Arsenal to keep their slim title hopes alive, Spurs to challenge Manchester City for fourth place. An entertaining draw proved useless for both teams, but was great news for the neutrals. Arsenal threw away a 1-0 lead given to them by Theo Walcott, and then a 3-1 lead after goals from Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie. Spurs’ fightbacks came courtesy of two goals from Rafael Van Der Vaart and a wonderful strike from Tom Huddlestone.
4. 2011/12 – Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2
Spurs came out fighting on their visit to the Emirates in Feb 2012, racing into a 2-0 lead after a goal from Louis Saha and a penalty from former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor. However, the wheels soon fell off for the visitors, as Backary Sagna and Robin Van Persie equalised before half time. Then in a rampant second half display, two goals from Theo Walcott and a Tomas Rosicky strike secured a crushing Arsenal victory.
3. 2003/4 – Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2
Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ travelled to White Hart Lane in April 2004 knowing that a point would be enough to wrap up the title. They were coasting after goals from Patrick Viera and Robert Pires built a 2-0 lead. But the hosts hit back with strikes from Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Keane, whose last minute penalty ensured that Spurs fans went home happy. Probably not as happy as the Gunners though, who celebrated winning the league with four games to spare.
2. 2004/5 – Tottenham 4 Arsenal 5
In his first league game in charge of Spurs, Martin Jol announced himself by overseeing the highest scoring North London derby in history. After Noureddine Naybet opened the scoring for the home side, goals from Thierry Henry, Lauren and Patrick Vieira put the Gunners into a 3-1 lead. Defoe struck back for Spurs, before Freddie Ljungberg and Ledley King traded goals to leave Arsenal 4-3 up. Robert Pires seemed to have put the game beyond doubt, but Freddie Kanouté’s late strike ensured a nervy finale.
1. 2008/9 – Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4
David Bentley started the best North London derby of the last decade in spectacular style, lobbing Manuel Almunia from 40 yards. Mikael Silvestre equalised for the Gunners, who coasted into a comfortable second half lead with goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor. Darren Bent pulled one back, but Robin Van Persie’s strike left Arsenal 4-2 up going into the last minute of normal time. However, a wonderful goal from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon’s scrambled injury time equaliser ensured the points were shared in a thrilling start to Harry Redknapp’s career at Spurs.
Which other fixtures between Arsenal and Spurs stick in the memory? Let us know!
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