After a few years in which the balance of power in north London shifted, Arsenal have re-established their position as the dominant team in this part of the English capital.
The Gunners finished behind fierce rivals Tottenham for six consecutive seasons before their title upset in 2022/23 left them second in the Premier League, well above Spurs in eighth place.
Arsenal have made a stronger bid to win the league for the first time in 20 years this season, and before the final derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, they were already 17 points ahead of an improving Spurs side who They returned to fifth place.
This meant that the last day of the derby was also St. Totteringham’s Day. If you have little or no idea what that means, read on, especially if you’re an Arsenal fan.
What is St. Totteringham’s Day?
Finishing above Tottenham had been a formality for much of Arsenal’s recent history, even getting to the point where Arsenal fans invented a holiday to commemorate the occasion.
The Gunners celebrate St Totteringham’s Day, historically in April or May. Marks the day of the league season on which It becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above Arsenal.
Before Tottenham vs. Arsenal on April 28, 2024, the Gunners had collected 77 points from 34 league games in the 2023/24 season. Meanwhile, the Spurs had 60 points, after having played 32 games. That meant it was still possible for Ange Postecoglou’s team to finish above Arsenal, provided they won the derby and all the other remaining games while hoping the Gunners lost theirs.
Arsenal almost lost a comfortable lead but held on to win 3-2, meaning April 28 became St. Totteringham’s Day for 2024.
How many times have Spurs finished above Arsenal?
In the 31 seasons of the Premier League, Tottenham have finished above Arsenal eight times.
Arsenal finished above Tottenham by 21 consecutive league campaigns, spanning from the 1995/96 season to the 2015/16 campaign. That streak was broken in 2016/17, when Arsenal crashed out of the top four, while Tottenham finished second.
| Season | Arsenal Finish |
Arsenal Points |
Spurs Finish |
Spurs Points |
| 1992-93 | 10th | 56 | eighth | 59 |
| 1993-94 | 4th | 71 | fifteen | Four. Five |
| 1994-95 | 12 | 51 | 7th | 62 |
| 1995-96 | 5th | 63 | eighth | 61 |
| 1996-97 | 3rd | 68 | 10th | 46 |
| 1997-98 | 1st | 78 | 14 | 44 |
| 1998-99 | 2nd | 78 | eleven | 49 |
| 1999-00 | 2nd | 73 | 10th | 53 |
| 2000-01 | 2nd | 70 | 12 | 49 |
| 2001-02 | 1st | 87 | nineth | fifty |
| 2002-03 | 2nd | 78 | 10th | fifty |
| 2003-04 | 1st | 90 | 14 | Four. Five |
| 2004-05 | 2nd | 83 | nineth | 52 |
| 2005-06 | 4th | 67 | 5th | Sixty-five |
| 2006-07 | 4th | 68 | 5th | 60 |
| 2007-08 | 3rd | 83 | eleven | 46 |
| 2008-09 | 4th | 72 | eighth | 51 |
| 2009-10 | 3rd | 75 | 4th | 70 |
| 2010-11 | 4th | 68 | 5th | 62 |
| 2011-12 | 3rd | 70 | 4th | 69 |
| 2012-13 | 4th | 73 | 5th | 72 |
| 2013-14 | 4th | 79 | 6th | 69 |
| 2014-15 | 3rd | 75 | 5th | 64 |
| 2015-16 | 2nd | 71 | 3rd | 70 |
| 2016-17 | 5th | 75 | 2nd | 86 |
| 2017/18 | 6th | 63 | 3rd | 77 |
| 2018/19 | 5th | 70 | 4th | 71 |
| 2019/20 | eighth | 56 | 6th | 59 |
| 2020/21 | eighth | 61 | 7th | 62 |
| 2021/22 | 5th | 69 | 4th | 71 |
| 2022/23 | 2nd | 84 | eighth | 60 |
What is the head-to-head record between Arsenal and Spurs?
Arsenal and Spurs have faced each other 64 occasions in league matches during the Premier League era. Arsenal won 25 of those games and Spurs won 15, with 24 draws.
The Gunners won both head-to-head meetings in 2022/23, winning 3-1 in October 2022 and 2-0 on 15 January 2023. The first meeting of 2023/24 at Emirates Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw . and in the second leg Arsenal won 3-2.
The most memorable of those direct confrontations might be when Arsenal won their last title and celebrated it at Spurs’ home.
The unbeaten Invincibles team traveled to White Hart Lane in April 2004, needing just one point to secure the league title. They went 2-0 up with goals from Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, before Spurs fought back thanks to Jamie Redknapp and a late equalizer from Robbie Keane. But the 2-2 draw left Gunners fans jubilant.
When Arsenal visited Tottenham the following 2004/05 season (November 2004), the match again produced a memorable result.
Spurs started much better, taking the lead thanks to Noureddine Naybet. Thierry Henry scored a goal for Arsenal, who improved after the break, which saw a ding-dong affair.
Lauren put Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot, before the teams exchanged goals. Jermain Defoe and Ledley King for the locals, Vieira and Freddie Ljungberg for the visitors. Pires looked to have the game assured, but a late goal from Freddie Kanoute meant a nervy finish for Arsenal. They saw the victory and The match finished 5-4, the highest scoring North London Derby to date..
The October 2008 league match at Emirates Stadium came close to matching that result, coming just one goal behind.
The Gunners fell behind early to a goal from former Arsenal player David Bentley. They fought back and within an hour they were 2-1 up. Emmanuel Adebayor scored Arsenal’s third in the 64th minute, before Spurs’ Darren Bent made it 3-2 a couple of minutes later. Two minutes later, Arsenal scored again and Robin van Persie extended the lead to 4-2. The locals were looking to take advantage, but goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon at the end He equalized the score again for a final 4-4.
Further proof that north London derbies often produce goal fests: in 2012, Arsenal hosted Tottenham twice, first in February and then again in October. They scored 10 goals against their rivals in the calendar yearas both matches finished 5-2 to Arsenal, with the Gunners recovering from 2-0 down in the first game.
