The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, known as the North London derby, has its roots going back over 100 years. You could say it began after Arsenal’s move to Highbury in 1913. This relocation, just four miles from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane, which ignited a fierce local rivalry that has only intensified over the years.
Tottenham fans were understandably resentful, viewing Highbury as their territory, and this animosity set the stage for what would become one of football’s most intense rivalries. The first competitive clash after Arsenal’s move occurred on January 15, 1921, where Tottenham triumphed 2-1 at their home ground. However, the matches were often marred by bitterness, with a particularly brutal encounter in September 1922 leading to both clubs being reprimanded by the Football Association.
The rivalry escalated further after World War I when Arsenal’s controversial promotion to the First Division in 1919, despite finishing sixth in the Second Division, left Tottenham furious.
Arsenal’s chairman, Sir Henry Norris, allegedly engaged in underhanded tactics to secure the vote that granted Arsenal the promotion, a claim that has never been forgotten or forgiven in the minds of Spurs fans ever since.
As an Arsenal supporter, it’s hard not to relish the historical context of our club’s success compared to Tottenham’s struggles. Over the years, Arsenal has consistently finished above Spurs in the league, leading to the notoriously famous celebration of “St. Totteringham’s Day,” a day when Arsenal fans rejoice in Tottenham’s inability to surpass them in the league standings.
While the 2022-23 season saw the return of this celebration after a seven-year hiatus, it serves as a reminder of Arsenal’s dominance in North London. Despite Tottenham’s recent attempts to close the gap, including their rise in the Premier League, they have not won a league title in over 60 years, while Arsenal has claimed three since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
The contrast in silverware is stark, and as an ardent Gooner, it’s satisfying to see our club’s rich history compared against Spurs’ ongoing quest for a Premier League trophy.The North London derby is not just about the matches; it’s about pride, history, and the fierce competition that defines our local rivalry. Each encounter is charged with emotion, and the stakes are always high, making every game a must-watch event for fans. As we look ahead, the rivalry continues to evolve, but one thing remains clear: Arsenal’s place in North London is firmly established, and the Gunners will always strive to maintain that supremacy over Tottenham.
This season’s first North London Derby is due to be in just three week’s time at the Tottenham Stadium, and it is possible that we could both be unbeaten going into the game, Due to the fierce rivalry, Arsenal will be a very good price to take all three points, and I for one will be taking up the Paddy Power sign up offer, so I can put all my free bonus money on a guaranteed Arsenal win. We managed a thrilling 3-2 win in this game last season in our race fo the title, but I am certain we will be winning this year’s version in a much easier fashion.
And once again, North London will be Red!
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I want all Spuds fans to support Arsenal instead and shut the club down
I think many of them want similar things
@Gai, As much as I wish for that, it can only happen in a dream😃 North London Red is the big deal.
@Gai, As much as I wish that is the case, it can only happen in a dream😃 North London Red is the big deal.
It’s not suprising that Spus are so resentful of Arsenal, not just for turning up on their established territory, but in getting promoted to Division One ahead of them and in controversial circumstances.
If we’d have stayed put in Woolwich Millwall and Charlton would have been our local rivals and I’d probably have become a Spurs supporter, with them being my then local club😱.
I’m glad that the rivalry has not diminished over the years, and long may it continue.
The article is a fair summery of the background. There was some “dirty work at the crossroads” by us all those years ago. I’m not sure how many fans of both clubs remember any of that in 2024 though.
It’s a question of two big clubs in close proximity within “North London” playing against each other in the topflight over many seasons now. The rivalry hasn’t diminished, and it certainly won’t now.
Spurs fans often (always😭) forget to acknowledge that what Arsenal did in turning up on their doorstep back in 1913, they themselves might have achieved had they been successful in their attempt at buying the Olympic Stadium following the 2012 games.
Thoughts from Eastern Europe…
I have supported Arsenal since the early 70s. I was very young and I confess that I didn’t grow up with resentment towards Tottenham, I didn’t even know about their rivalry. Now in full maturity, I think that this competition generates a show and a lot of emotion. I hope we never forget that we are talking about a football game.
For gunners, with love from Romania.
I don’t really buy in to the rivalry thing. Seems Spurs had a point in the things mentioned i the article so why should Arsenal people hate them? The other way round, maybe – Spurs lot have some good reasons for how they feel.
I like to see good football played and the current manager of Spurs is trying to do that – it’s his style of play. I’d rather see that do well than other clubs with stodgy ways of playing like Mourinho or Conte. When Spurs were managed by those two I wanted to see them do badly, but for those football reasons, not some ancient history stuff.
btw ugh to the blatant gambling site plug. 🤢
Neutral, all this happened over 100 years ago and Spurs fans still can’t get over it.
Truth be told, the hate thing is just for the really sad supporters of either team, as most of us don’t give it much thought do we!?
I must be a sad supporter then Jax, as I hate that lot.
I’m sure you’ll make a full recovery HD.
I will hate them till the end of days Jax.
Jax, indeed, the sensible ones see it for what it is.
It’s not only Spurs/Arsenal though, football as a sport has a problem with understanding the difference between rivarly and enmity. It’s a game, they can be your rivals and also be respected as human beings and fellow sports fans.
In the rugby world, they don’t have “our end” of the stadium and “their end”, supporters of both teams mingle, they still have stands and they stand there with a pint in hand debating the pros and cons of the game with a common sense eye to it. There’s no hint of violence or hatred, sometimes there’s a bit of banter but it’s taken in good spirit on all sides.
* rivalry
I do have to laugh at their fans when they go on about us moving to their manor, North London. If they knew the history of their club they would know that Tottenham only became part of London in April 1965. Before then they were on the outskirts of London. They call us Woolwich Nomads, we call them Middlesex Mugs.
One of my all time favourite games against them was Easter Monday 1977 at Highbury. We beat them 1-0 with a SuperMac header at the Clockend. That win virtually relegated them into Division Two 😂
I see every team as our rivals…
I have been to quite a few Arsenal games over the years.
And when the Arsenal fans start singing stand up if you hate Tottenham, I never stand up.
Not because I like Tottenham, it was just that I was there to watch my team and I didn’t want to give Tottenham a second of my thoughts.
That’s EXACTLY what I do DEREK!!
I don’t waste my time and energy on them…. except when we are playing them and THEN I stand up and join in!!
My rivalry began at about 6 years old at my school in Crouch End. Arsenal and Tottenham kids never stuck together as a group it was as simple as that. In the area, I can’t recall groups of kids supporting other teams for me it was just us and them. At that age we had no clue that we relocated from Woolwich.