With a history stretching back over 100 years, the North London Derby is always one of the most thrilling matches in a Premier League season. This year, new manager Thomas Frank will be looking at how to use his thin squad to snap Tottenham’s three-game losing streak against Arsenal, while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta looks to continue his side’s great start to the campaign.
The historic rivalry
The North London Derby, the contest between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, is one of the most anticipated matches in the Premier League. Arsenal was founded in 1886 in an area of London now known as Plumstead, named after the “Royal Arsenal,” a manufacturing hub of armaments and ammunition for the British royal army.
Due to financial struggles, Arsenal moved to a wealthier area in North London in 1913, four miles away from where Tottenham Hotspur had been playing since its founding in 1882 by a group of middle–class grammar school students. The rivalry became official in 1919, as clubs voted which teams would be sent to the top division of English football, the equivalent of the modern–day Premier League. In a controversial vote that year, Arsenal got 18 votes to Tottenham’s eight, meaning the Spurs would remain in the second division until their eventual promotion to the top division in 1920. As soccer’s popularity rose, the rivalry became one of the most watched in the world.
The biggest moments
Usually the underdogs in the rivalry, Tottenham has come out on top 61 times in 197 meetings of the teams compared to Arsenal’s 89. Despite Arsenal’s recent challenges to the Premier League title overshadowing the importance of the rivalry, the Spurs have produced some of the Derby’s most iconic moments and defining victories. In 1991, Paul Gascoigne’s legendary 30–yard free kick made White Hart Lane erupt following a 3-1 win against Arsenal on Tottenham’s road to winning the Emirates FA Cup knockout competition. This was followed by a 5-1 home rout in 2008 to secure the North London side’s appearance in the League Cup final, in which they won 2-1 against Chelsea.
Tottenham enjoyed its best years in the Premier League under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino from 2014 to 2019. That era featured the rise of Harry Kane, who became the North London Derby’s all-time leading scorer with 14 goals. Tottenham Hotspur’s last win against Arsenal came in 2022, when two goals from Kane and one from Son Heung-min secured Tottenham’s Champions League qualification over Arsenal for the first time in three years.
On the other hand, Arsenal will always have the bragging rights of winning the league at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane in 2004 to finish its unbeaten season. Some of Arsenal’s best players made their marks in North London derbies, with legends Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie tied at five goals each. Arsenal has won the last four derbies, including the most recent victory, in which the Gunners came back after a Heung-min goal to win 2-1 at the Emirates.
Tottenham’s Derby preview
The Lilywhites are winless in the last seven North London derbies, including six losses and a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium in September 2023. Tottenham is looking to regain its form after a good start to the season fell into disarray with Spurs winning just one of its last four Premier League games. Injuries have again plagued the North London side, forcing Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to constantly experiment with the forward line. The long–term absences of attacking midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, as well as striker Dominic Solanke, have left Spurs with an unreliable selection of unproven young players such as Mathys Tel or out–of–form strikers such as Richarlison.
With captain Cristian Romero returning from injury, fans wait to see if Frank will adjust Tottenham to play in a three-center-back setup with Mickey van de Ven and Kevin Danso, hoping to counter Bukayo Saka and the Arsenal’s attack. Tottenham has the best away record in the Premier League, and it will be interesting to see if the Spurs can continue it as they come up against the best defense in English soccer.
Looking to bounce back
After a disappointing draw against Sunderland, the Gunners are looking to avoid losing points once again. After a goal from outside the box by forward Leandro Trossard in the 74th minute in the Sunderland fixture, Arsenal was bound to once again gain three points. Brian Brobbey flicked the ball to the back of the net in the final moments of extra time, leading the Gunners to only go into the international break with one point. Currently, Arsenal is on top of the Premier League, four points ahead of Manchester City, who wait just behind to battle for the top spot. Arsenal is going into this North London Derby with high stakes.
Keys to Success for Arsenal
For Arsenal to win the North London Derby Nov. 23, it’ll need standout performances from its core players. Declan Rice must control the midfield battle by breaking up Spurs’ transitions and dictating the tempo. Saka, who has three goals and a 79% completion of passes through nine matches, will be a key to stretching Tottenham’s back line and creating overloads out wide alongside reliable striker Gabriel Martinelli.
Lastly, goalkeeper David Raya must be sharp dealing with shots from the distance by the forwards of Spurs. If Arsenal can find its rhythm with its starters and a few substitutions throughout, it will be in a strong position to take the Derby and extend its lead on the top of England’s grand old league.
Final Predictions
Expect a defensive-heavy match between both sides, with the prediction either a 1-1 draw or a 1-0 Arsenal win. However, with big matches like this in the Premier League, it could go either way. Tottenham could look to get in a groove and secure its second win in the last five Premier League fixtures, upsetting championship leaders Arsenal and invigorating Spurs fans worldwide.
