Tottenham Hotspur hosts Arsenal on Sunday the 15th of January at 16:30 (GMT). Playing at a stadium Arsenal havn’t won at in the Premier League since 2014. The result was 1-0 after a brilliant volley from a tight angle from Tomas Rosicky, unleashing some classic Martin Tyler commentary.
In the reverse fixture, Arsenal produced a promising 3-1 win. Goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka ended Tottenham’s day in upset and Arsenal’s day into complete bliss. Due to the gunner’s form, only having one loss and two draws this season, Arsenal has a great chance of winning away at Tottenham for the first time in almost nine years.
Over the years, the North London Derby has produced some beautiful fixtures at both Highbury/The Emirates & White Hart Lane/The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. People argue that the NLD is the biggest derby in the league due to its competitiveness and aggression showcased.
Today we’ll be taken back in time to pick out some of the best NLD over the last five years. Spanning from the 17/18 season all the way to the current season.
Number 5: Arsenal win 2-1 (14th of march 2021)
In a game that included an Audacious Erik Lamela rabona, that later saw the Argentine sent off, Arsenal went on to turn the game on its head. Before the magnificent goal of the season contender went in at the 33rd-minute mark, Arsenal was in control of possession. After the goal that sent Reguilon ballistic escaped the grasp of Leno’s hand a switch instantly took place in Arsenal’s play.
After a couple of hits of the woodwork from Cedric and Smith Rowe, the ball finally found the feet of Odegaard, who miss-hit the ball past a vulnerable Lloris to make it 1-1. In the 65th Minute Lacazette turned the game around after a beautifully dispatched Penalty.
Tottenham had 25 minutes to get back into the game, but suddenly, in the 76th minute, Erik Lamela smacks Kieran Tierney in the face with his hand, leaving Micheal Oliver with no choice but to send the ex-Roma man off.
Highlights are showcased through this link.
Number 4: Arsenal win 2-0 (19th of December 2017)
An evenly matched game, with Tottenham Hotspur surpassing Arsenal in possession with 57.9% saw Arsenal ultimately take a 2-0 home W. What made this a triumph was the factor that Arsenal hadn’t beaten the Spurs in seven attempts beforehand In the Premier League.
Finally getting the win after Tottenham’s egos were through the roof put the cherry on top for the fans of Arsenal. A very sort after win for the men in red after it felt like the club was in derby turmoil. Arsenal took the lead with World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi after a perfectly weighted Ozil free-kick met the head of the infamous defender.
The second goal came from the beloved Alexis Sanchez after Lacazette found him in the centre of the box, at first, the Chilean produced a poor first touch, but his second ended up in the roof of the net, giving Lloris no chance.
The match-up concealed Arsenal’s 11th consecutive home PL victory at the time of the game, a good patch of form for the Gunners back in 2017.
Highlights are showcased through this link.
Number 3: Arsenal win 3-1 (1st of October 2022)
Our most recent match-up with Spurs in the reversed fixture. A convincing 3-1 at home to continue our fine form at the top of the PL table. At this current stage of the season on Matchday 8, we were sitting four points clear of Manchester City at 21 points after the win against Spurs.
At this stage of the current season, Arsenal was hungry like a pride of lions around their prey and they weren’t taking any prisoners, especially against their biggest allies. Yet another match that produced red after Emerson Royal clumsily got sent off after a poor challenge against Gabriel Martinelli.
Thomas Partey started the Adowa with a wonderfully precise, pin-point side-footed bonanza into the top corner from 20 yards out. A similar goal to which he later scored against the Saints. Although Arsenal was firing on all cylinders, Harry Kane was given the opportunity to score his 14th goal in 18 matches from the penalty spot, which he did…
It didn’t matter though, because quickly after the break, Arsenal was back at their best after Lloris fumbled the ball which allowed Jesus the pouncer to slide the ball into the Tottenham net. The red card put Tottenham’s chances to sleep after Emerson Royal recklessly slide into Martinelli.
Due to only now having 10 men, this put Arsenal into cruise control when Xhaka created space for himself in the box, allowing him to neatly place the ball past the shaky Lloris to put the nail in the coffin.
Highlights are showcased through this link.
Number 2: Arsenal win 3-1 (26th of September 2021)
The game that epitomised the shift back to Arsenal in North London, was one of the games that showed the promise and potential of Arteta and his tactical philosophies/ideologies. A game at one point looked like Arsenal was running away with, with goals back to back in rampant fashion.
After this fantastic display of passion was over, Arsenal was placed midtable at 1oth with their struggling rival being at 11th, a tough time early on in the 21/22 season for North London football. But Arsenal showed the world that they have one of the most talented squads by the end of the 90.
Tottenham was managed by ex wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo at this point and the short-lived manager who got replaced by Antonio Conte was given a slice of Arsenal pie. Emile Smith-Rowe started the tango after arriving unmarked into the Tottenham penalty box to sweep in a beautifully constructed cross by the Lil Chilli.
Scorer then turned provider with a similar goal, after Smith Rowe produced a reversed pass to the edge of the box, allowing Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to guide the ball into the bottom corner.
The third and final Arsenal goal is what made this result sweet though, after a lovely piece of build-up, smith Rowe swept the ball wide to Saka, who ran towards the Tottenham defence with some real conviction, as he attempted a pass inside the box, the ball fell back to the feet of the Starboy, allowing him to hit the ball low into the left side netting.
The second half was shaky for the gunners though, after increased pressure from the other team in North London. After multiple chances from Lucas Moura, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son. Ultimately Son got one back, but this was ultimately only a short-lived glimmer of hope.
Highlights are showcased through this link.
Number 1: Arsenal win 4-2 (2nd of December 2018)
The matches of all matches, one of the most beautiful wins in Arsenal’s recent history. The Lucas Torreira finish. The Pierre Emerick Aubameyang first-time curler… this game had it all!
An Unai Emery masterclass saw Arsenal win this action-packed battle 4-2. At this point, Unai Emery was doing wonders at Arsenal despite what the press said, 4th in the league above Tottenham, going on a 19-match unbeaten run, what went wrong for the Spaniard?? One of the main reasons is tied down to being a successor of Arsene Wenger and the pressure it brought, especially after the toxicity around the stadium at this given period of time.
The fast-paced match-up started early after Jan Vertonghen conceded a spot-kick after a handball. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang stepped up and in cool & composed Aubameyang style, he slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0. Despite being against the run of play, Eric Dier glanced home an Eriksen free-kick, resulting in him celebrating abruptly, which later bit him on the back.
Tottenham then somehow found themself 2-1 up at the half after Rob Holding gave away a penalty and Harry Kane as he usually does, slot the ball into the net effortlessly. But this was the start of something special being brewed up from Unai Emery as he stroked his imaginary beard.
Emery went to the thinking board and made a double switch at the half with both Aaron Ramsey and Lacazette setting foot on the pitch. The man from Caerphilly had an instant impact on the pitch after squaring a ball edge of the box to Aubameyang, allowing him to perfectly stroke the ball into the net with caress and style.
Aaron Ramsey, the man who loves an NLD, then set up Lacazette who sent a deflecting low shot out of the reach of French shot-stopper, Hugo Lloris. We don’t forget that flicked finish at White Hart Lane Ramsey 😉
Lucas Torreira gave the match its final green tick after the little man from Fray Bentos steered clear of the Tottenham defence allowing him to place the ball into the bottom corner with such conviction. To add more salt to the Tottenham wounds Jan Vertonghen was later sent off for a challenge on Lacazette. What a match this was, now over to you, which was your favourite NLD in recent years?
Highlights are showcased through this link.
