To fans of Arsenal or Spurs, every north London derby is a huge clash. Short-term bragging rights are at stake, whilst the chance to inflict damage on the longer-term aspirations of your main rival also means these games are highly anticipated. However, there is no doubt that some matches are more important than others. Over the years there have been so many massive clashes between these two local rivals.
Some games have been six-pointers in terms of a title race or battle for the top four, with others simply crucial in the fight to see who finishes higher in the table. Over the years there have also been some huge cup games between Arsenal and Spurs, whilst other meetings have just been thrilling, controversial, high-scoring, or a mix of all three. Here are some of the biggest Arsenal v Spurs games ever!
High-Scoring Affairs

The clubs first met in a friendly game in 1887 but Arsenal, known as Royal Arsenal then, after a brief spell as Dial Square, played in Woolwich. The famous rivalry was not yet established, and the sides played the odd game against each other before things ramped up at the start of the 20th century after Spurs moved to White Hart Lane in 1899 and Arsenal to Highbury in 1913.
Things went to the next level after the First World War, when the Gunners were controversially promoted to the top flight ahead of Spurs, essentially by vote. The rest is history, and in the 100+ years since there have been some real crackers played out between the fierce rivals. In the Premier League era especially, the fixture has become known for being a high-scoring one.
Arsenal 5-4 Spurs, 13th November, 2004
The highest-scoring fixture in the Premier League between these two occurred back in 2004. Arsenal won – of course – 5-4 at White Hart Lane, leaving the home fans scratching their heads. Amazingly the clash was goalless until the 37th minute but a late flurry of strikes made this game a true classic.
All nine goals were scored by different players in a game where Spurs took the lead but then went 3-1 down. It then went 3-2, 4-2, 4-3, 5-3 and ultimately finished 5-4, Frédéric Kanouté setting up an exciting few minutes with his 88th minute strike for the hosts. They couldn’t get an equaliser though, despite having more shots and more on target across the 90 minutes.
Arsenal have also beaten Spurs 5-2 twice in the same calendar year in the Premier League, both wins coming in 2012. There was also a frantic 4-4 draw in the PL in October 2008, a game where Spurs were 4-2 down with just two minutes to go. And looking back to earlier times, there have been three other 4-4 draws in the north London, all three occurring between 1958 and 1963. Those were the days!
Title Decider Goes Arsenal’s Way
Given everything ended well, we’ll start back in 1971. On the final day of the 1970/71 campaign, the Gunners made the short trip to White Hart Lane, with the hosts desperate to throw a spanner in the works. Heading into the game the Gunners knew that a win or a 0-0 draw would be enough for them to clinch the title, Leeds having already completed their fixtures. Spurs were a decent side at the time too and finished third, so this was a tough game for the visitors.
It was a tight, sometimes dour affair, with few chances, but Arsenal got the job done. Cheers Spurs! Bob Wilson and others recount the day in the video above, with footage of the excellent Ray Kennedy header that sealed the title for the Gunners. The players explain how incredible it was to land the championship at the home of their major rivals.
But the game had even wider significance in the contest of the north London rivalry because it also set Arsenal on their way to the league and cup Double. They went on to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the FA Cup final, after extra time. Previously Spurs were the only English club to have won the Double and so this win was even sweeter, removing that particular record, or brag, from Tottenham!
No Cup Finals But Plenty of Huge Games
Surprisingly, given both clubs were established well over 100 years ago, and rank amongst the most successful cup teams in England, Arsenal and Spurs have never played in the FA Cup or League Cup final. They have never met in a big European game either, though that is less surprising given Spurs rarely qualify! There have, however, been some massive cup clashes between the two over the years, including several semi finals.
Gazza Lights Up FA Cup Semi
Back in 1991 the great rivals met in the semi of the FA Cup, with Nottingham Forest and West Ham the other remaining sides. The game was played at Wembley and Spurs got off to a great start. Gazza, in his pomp after excelling at the 1990 World Cup, opened the scoring after just five minutes with a cracking free-kick from fully 35 yards.
Gary Lineker, who had also been a key player at the World Cup, added two more. Arsenal had made it 2-1 through Alan Smith but they were outdone on the day. Spurs went on to land the cup, winning the final 2-1 after extra time, but Arsenal won the league that season.
Other Semi-Final Clashes
The duo have met in a number of other semi-final contests, including:
- 1986/87 League Cup – Spurs won 1-0 away, Arsenal winning the second leg 2-1. Back then tied games went to a replay and Arsenal won 2-1 at White Hart Lane to progress to the final (which they duly won!).
- 1992/93 FA Cup – The second FA semi between the two saw Arsenal gain revenge. They won 1-0 thanks to a Tony Adams header and won a domestic cup double, beating Sheffield Wednesday in both finals.
- 2000/01 FA Cup – Another Gunners victory, this time 2-1 at Old Trafford. Spurs scored first but Arsenal came back to set up a final against Liverpool.
- 2006/07 League Cup – The first leg was 2-2 at Spurs, Arsenal winning 3-1 on home soil, albeit after extra time.
- 2007/08 League Cup – Another League Cup semi over two legs may be one best forgotten. The game at the Emirates was 1-1 but then Spurs somehow won 5-1 in the second leg.