TEAMtalk's Top 10: Arsenal v Spurs

16 November 2012 19:04
TEAMtalk counts down 10 of the best North London derbies ahead of Saturday's clash between Arsenal and Tottenham at The Emirates. Arsenal and Tottenham lock horns at Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the latest instalment of a famous North London rivalry. It is always a massive fixture when these two teams meet in the league or cup and they have managed some thrilling encounters over the years. Here, TEAMtalk counts down 10 of the best. Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 - 2011/12 Where to start but the goal-fest at the Emirates last season? Tottenham raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Louis Saha's early goal and former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor's penalty inside the opening 34 minutes. But the Gunners were level before half-time through Bacary Sagna's header and Robin van Persie's stunning equaliser. Tottenham's self-belief was badly dented and they fell to pieces in the second half. Tomas Rosicky gave Arsenal the lead and two goals in three minutes from Theo Walcott after the hour mark completed the rout. Arsenal 2 Tottenham 3 - 2010/11 Considering there was also a 3-3 North London derby draw at White Hart Lane and a 4-1 League Cup win for Arsenal in the 2010/11 season, it is difficult to narrow down the best of the bunch. But Tottenham's victory at Emirates Stadium, their first win at Arsenal in 17 years, just edges it. Arsene Wenger's team were two goals in front through Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh. But Gareth Bale, a Rafael van der Vaart penalty and Younes Kaboul's late winner resulted in a remarkable second-half turnaround. Tottenham 2 Arsenal 1 - 2009/10 This was a hugely significant match from a few seasons ago as Tottenham claimed their first league victory over Arsenal in 11 years. The win set them on course for UEFA Champions League qualification and effectively killed off Arsenal's Premier League title hopes. Harry Redknapp's side came into the game on the back of a heartbreaking FA Cup defeat by Portsmouth but took the lead in stunning fashion when unlikely hero Danny Rose hit a 25-yard volley. Bale made it 2-0 early in the second half and an inspired goalkeeping display from Heurelho Gomes helped Spurs withstand a late onslaught, although Nicklas Bendtner did pull one goal back. Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4 - 2008/09 Spurs were struggling when Redknapp took charge and needed something to spark them back into life. But nobody could have scripted a more exciting tale than what actually transpired on an autumn night at Emirates Stadium. David Bentley's incredible opener was cancelled out by Mikael Silvestre before half-time and Arsenal took firm control with further goals from William Gallas and Adebayor. Darren Bent reduced Tottenham's arrears only for Van Persie to almost immediately restore the Gunners' two-goal advantage. Trailing 4-2 with just one minute remaining, the outlook appeared bleak for the visitors. But Jermaine Jenas curled home a neat finish to give them hope and Aaron Lennon then struck to salvage a point. Tottenham 5 Arsenal 1 - 2007/08 Wenger may have a policy of fielding fringe players and youngsters in the League Cup but that should not detract from a scintillating Tottenham performance in the second leg of their 2008 semi-final tie. Jenas' very early strike set the tone for a memorable night for Spurs and Bendtner's own goal gave them a comfortable cushion. Robbie Keane, Lennon and Steed Malbranque completed the rout while Adebayor netted a consolation for the Gunners. Juande Ramos' side went on to beat Chelsea in the final and claim their first trophy of the new Millennium. Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2 - 2006/07 A pulsating contest from the spring of 2007 as Spurs somehow managed to rescue a point after being completely overpowered by Arsenal for much of the 90 minutes. Keane broke the deadlock with a header from point-blank range on the half-hour mark before a Gunners barrage saw them hit the woodwork three times. Kolo Toure finally turned in Cesc Fabregas' free-kick to equalise. Adebayor then struck late on to seemingly give Arsenal the win they deserved. But Jenas showed again he loves these occasions by drilling in a spectacular last-gasp leveller from 25 yards. Tottenham 4 Arsenal 5 - 2004/05 One of the most extraordinary games of recent times was played out at White Hart Lane as Arsenal edged a nine-goal classic. Wenger's 'Invincibles' of the previous season had only been conquered by Manchester United a few weeks earlier but they showed all of the flair and determination that had carried them on that unbeaten 49-game run with the narrowest of victories. Noureddine Naybet briefly put Spurs ahead but in a topsy-turvy encounter it was goals from Thierry Henry, Lauren, Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires that sealed the win for the Gunners. Efforts from Jermain Defoe, Ledley King and Frederic Kanoute certainly added to the excitement. Tottenham 2 Arsenal 2 - 2003/04 As previously mentioned, the Gunners went through this season without losing a single Premier League game. But they will have taken almost as much pleasure from clinching the title at the home of their fiercest foes. Spurs were fired up for the clash, as a victory would have ended Arsenal's run and delayed their celebrations. But they could not pull off an unlikely task. Pires and Vieira set the visitors on course for a comfortable afternoon and, although Jamie Redknapp and Keane pulled it back to 2-2, the draw would still have felt like a defeat to Tottenham. Tottenham 3 Arsenal 1 - 1990/91 This was the first FA Cup semi-final between the sides and Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker played starring roles as Spurs emerged triumphant. Gascoigne's fabulous free-kick opened the scoring and Lineker made it 2-0 before Alan Smith pulled a goal back for Arsenal. Lineker netted for a second time to set up a final against Nottingham Forest, which Tottenham won. But Gazza's return to Wembley was less enjoyable as he suffered a serious knee injury after committing a foul on Gary Charles. Tottenham 0 Arsenal 1 - 1970/71 Just as in 2004, Arsenal clinched the league title at White Hart Lane. The Gunners needed a victory or goalless draw in the final game of the season and it was a nervy afternoon for fans as a tight tussle ensued. But in the end they managed to pick up maximum points thanks to Ray Kennedy's header three minutes from time. They went on to win the Double.

Source: team_talk