North London Derby memories
Having been to more than 80 North London derbies across 40+ years of watching The Arsenal as a supporter and a journalist I pick out a few highs (and lows)
“I’m very good at the past. It’s the present I can’t understand.” – Nick Hornby.
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Someone pointed out my book, ‘Arsene Wenger: 50 Defining Fixtures’, includes six games against Spurs.
A quick check reveals they were right.
It’s not that I didn’t realise, more the fact, as Inspiral Carpets bassist Martyn Walsh once told me: “You don’t spend time looking over what you’ve created once it’s done.”
I wonder if players think like that?
I wonder if Thierry Henry sits around his New York pad - whilst catching up on Arsenal reserve games via cable – and ever thinks about the goal he scored against Spurs in November 2002 which was immortalised in bronze. Henry from the halfway line, as I call it.
I only ask because it’s the North London derby this weekend. And my head is full of memories of this game.
Memories which never fade for me.
Arsene Knows…
At the last count I’ve been to more than 80 North London derbies, home and away, Highbury and White Hart Lane, Wembley and Old Trafford, the Emirates and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the memories, good and bad, remain powerful.
Of Charlie Nicholas taking on the entire Spurs defence at long-lost Highbury on a bumpy late spring pitch, before rolling the ball into an open net in front of the North Bank, which bounced, literally bounced, in sheer delight.
I also never saw so much trouble inside a ground during a North London Derby as that sunny April afternoon in 1984, but that’s a different story.
I remember being in the away end straining my neck to watch Mark Falcao cannon his late penalty off the bar, as Arsenal broke to score a late second in a 2-0 win at the Lane in April 1985.
If you know, you know…
March 4, 1987. Littlewoods Cup semi-final replay, Ian, Ian, Ian Allinson, and the late, great Rocky Rocastle, sealing a never-to-be-forgotten victory for the ages, that set George Graham’s young, hungry side on the way to Anfield 89, a mere two years later.
I went to all three semi-finals and I don’t think I’ve ever been so squashed at a football match. As Hornby said ruefully, we trusted the authorities that they knew what they were doing [in terms of crowd control] but it turns out they didn’t…
Of singing what a waste of money at Paul Stewart at the Makita Tournament at Wembley in 1990 whilst we crushed another Lilywhite dawn 4-0.
Or of David Seaman having a stormer against Gary Lineker in N17 as he singlehandedly earned us a point on the way to the 1991 title.
Or of ‘Nutty’ Winterburn firing the decider in a hectic game only remembered for Gazza losing his boot when scoring? Or Ian Wright wheeling away in triumph at a last-gasp winner at the Lane in ‘93?
I could go on, and maybe one day I will in a book.
The two 5-2s, 3-3s, 4-4s, the goals, the drama, the action, the hatred, the passion, the noise, the fervour - all of which combine to make the North London Derby one of the world’s greatest fixtures.
My favourite? Being at White Hart Lane to see Arsenal winning the league at White Hart Lane (for the second time in the club’s long and illustrious history after 1971).
As you can read further down, I actually had a ticket in the home end that day.
Closely followed by that Littlewood Cups semi-final replay victory 37 years ago.
So many memories.
My least favourite has to be the 5-1 shellacking in the 2008 semi-final when Arsene Wenger decided to play reserves against a rampant Spurs side. Horrible.
As is every defeat.
Spurs 3-2 victory at the Emirates the same year - powered by an unstoppable Gareth Bale (whatever happened to him?) was also a low point.
So many games to chose from over the last 40+ years - both good and bad. I’m sure you’ve got your own.
I really hope our players do look back at the happy memories they created for fans, and for themselves, in North London derbies.
In my Wenger book I asked Ray Parlour what he did after the Invincibles won the league at White Hart Lane.
He told me: “I celebrated for three days…!”
Here’s to Mikel Arteta’s current Arsenal side creating memories of their own in this weekend’s North London derby in N17 - even if you can’t imagine this vintage celebrating with three days on the beers after Sunday…
Arsenal win the league at White Hart Lane (again)
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REWIND
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour: 'How could we not celebrate winning the Premier League at White Hart Lane?'
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal: April 25, 2004
With Newcastle United beating Chelsea ahead of kick-off it meant Arsene Wenger’s side required a single point to capture the league title for the 13th time.
The fact they could do this at the home of their bitter North london rivals – for potentially the second time, after achieving the same feat during the club’s march to the double in 1971 - only heightened the sense of expectation and tension in N17.
The momentous 90 minutes which followed was to prove a memorable and defining afternoon for the club on the day they became Champions of England.
A day which would be remembered for as long as Arsenal Football Club existed, as the best team in England proved beyond all doubt that North London was most definitely red that season.
One team in London
With fewer than 180 seconds gone, Thierry Henry collected the ball just outside his own box, before commencing an all-encompassing passage of play which culminated in Patrick Vieira scoring past Kasey Keller via a Dennis Bergkamp cross.
Just to prove the sweeping nature of the move, from Henry gathering the ball to Vieira scoring was timed at 11 seconds.
Arsenal: Pride of London
1-0 to the Arsenal became 2-0 with ten minutes still to play before half-time. Bergkamp, again revelling in his role as tormentor-in-chief of Spurs fed a Vieira charge through the Spurs defensive lines as if they were invisible. He then played the ball back to Robert Pires who had ghosted into the box to allow him to sidefoot home.
At 2-0 up with the title in sight the 3,000 Gooners in the ground including the author reminded Spurs fans vociferously it was 43 years and counting since they last won in the league – in black and white to boot.
It was understandable with the title seemingly won Arsenal’s intensity dropped slightly, allowing Jamie Redknapp and a later Robbie Keane penalty to draw the game 2-2.
However Argentine defender Mauricio Taricco- who prior to the equaliser had suffered a torrid afternoon chasing the Arsenal forward line – somehow managed to pull his hamstring during his teams ill-founded celebrations.
A clearly incensed Henry – despite being warned by the authorities beforehand – at the final whistle gathered his troops together and took them to the now celebrating corner where the Arsenal fans were congregated.
Henry told his men to celebrate on the White Hart Lane turf
As Henry said afterwards in a thinly veiled nod at Taricco’s behaviour: “When you see behaviour like that it is impossible for us not to celebrate in response.”
Ray Parlour recalls winning the league at White Hart Lane
Ray Parlour, in an exclusive interview with Layth Yousif some years later for his book Arsene Wenger: 50 Defining Fixtures recalled: “We just thought how can you not celebrate winning the league at White Hart Lane?
“We certainly made sure we celebrated after.
“I knew how big the rivalry was between the two teams growing up as a young Arsenal player, and we knew how special a triumph like that was for the fans as well.
“So we made sure we enjoyed winning the league at White Hart Lane!”
North London Is Red
Tottenham fans, mirroring their team’s over-the-top celebrations at achieving a draw against the Champions at the final whistle, claimed that they had restored a semblance of pride.
It was utter and arrant nonsense: Arsenal had won the league at White Hart Lane for the second time in the history of the North London derby, that was all which mattered.
Wenger: We have entertained those who love football
And it was Arsenal celebrations at the end of game that proved that emphatic fact.
Now wonder Wenger said after the match: "The championship is where you see how good a team is. We've been remarkably consistent, haven't lost a game and we have played stylish football.
“I don’t want to diminish my other two championships but this is special.
“We have entertained people who just love football."
Wenger himself joined in the vigorous revelries with the players afterwards, and in a shot which encapsulated the era, is pictured with his hands in the air in triumph in front of the celebrating Gooners.
Parlour: I celebrated for about three days afterwards
In the background is a flag raised proudly by the fans. It read simply: “Arsene Knows.”
Yet when asked whether his team would be celebrating the title that night, a deadly serious Wenger added: “No champagne just water.”
It was unsure whether one of his stalwarts heeded his advice.
Years later, Ray Parlour recalled with a smile: “What did I do that night? I don’t know! I think I went out and celebrated for about three days afterwards!”
Yet despite well-deserved celebrations Parlour and his teammates knew that their manager’s goal was now to achieve what was previously thought impossible: to remain unbeaten throughout a 38 match league campaign – an accomplishment which would turn an extraordinary season into an immortal one.
One which would see them labelled as The Invincibles.
This article first appeared in the London Evening Standard and is taken from my book: Arsene Wenger: 50 Defining Fixtures
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Champions
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CHAMPIONS
My Rewind piece recalling being at White Hart Lane the day Arsenal won the league in 2004
The story of the day Arsenal won the Premier League title at White Hart Lane for the second time
Gooner Editor Layth recalls a day no Arsenal supporter will ever forget in this must-read 'I was there'
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On the day that Arsenal won the Premier League title at White Hart Lane in April 2004, I was there in the stands - among the Tottenham Hotspur faithful. Behind the enemy lines.
It was a day I’d never forget.
Arsenal fans massed in the away end at ‘The Lane’ and hoped - no, longed-for - a result that would clinch the Premier League at the home of their bitter rivals.
On that gloriously sunny spring day Arsene Wenger was at the height of his powers. The Gunners were unbeaten in the league with only four matches to play.
In 1971, another Arsenal team had won the double at White Hart Lane in front of more than 50,000 fans. Another 50,000 were said to have been locked out.
Prior to kick-off on that afternoon, 33 years later, Wenger’s side were gunning for the league and their own place in history.
There might not have been the prospect of a double or even treble to consider after Manchester United had triumphed in an FA Cup semi-final clash three days before Wayne Bridge stunned Highbury to send Chelsea into the last four of the Champions League.
Many fans still believe that was the season that Arsenal could and should have won the one major trophy that eluded Wenger during his 22 years in charge.
Fortunately, the 2003-04 season delivered its own worthy climax. Pre-match shenanigans started when the Arsenal coach, containing the players who would conquer White Hart Lane that day, was subjected to a hail of missiles from angry Spurs fans.
Whether it was the usual derby day tensions, or fury at the fact their former captain Sol Campbell was excelling for the Arsenal after leaving N17 for Islington on a free transfer, it was hard to tell.
The defender’s move across north London, engineered by the wily David Dein, had shocked the football world.
As I watched the projectiles smash into the tinted windows of the coach as it edged to the ground down Tottenham High Road via Bill Nicholson way, I could confirm it was most definitely the latter.
Newcastle United had beaten Chelsea ahead of kick-off. That meant Wenger’s side required a single point to capture the league title for the 13th time in their history on their rival’s own turf.
With only 180 seconds on the clock, Thierry Henry collected the ball outside his own box to set off a passage of play that culminated in Patrick Vieira scoring past Kasey Keller from a Dennis Bergkamp cross.
A sweeping move that lasted a mere 11 seconds, started and ended by two of the great icons of the Wenger era, with a third making sure of the final ball.
It was one nil to the Arsenal but it soon became 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining of the first half. Bergkamp, relishing his role as tormentor-in-chief, once again fed Vieira as he charged through Tottenham’s lines. Paddy doubled the lead.
I was sitting in the West Stand lower near the dugouts and the press box as the ball hit the back of the net.
Although I had been to the majority of fixtures home and away that season I could not get hold of a cherished ticket in the away end at White Hart Lane that day. Thanks to a bit of resourcefulness, I still managed to get in. With the home fans.
Tempting fate? Possibly. But as any Arsenal supporter who has booked a trip to Baku or any other European final before progress was secure will know: you have to have a Plan B.
Deep in enemy territory I needed to be careful. I simply couldn’t react on my emotions in the moment. The home crowd were eager to unleash their own feelings, mostly those of frustration, I have been an obvious target for them to vent.
Unfortunately, had anyone been paying close attention, I did have a tell. My adrenaline levels were surging. I could feel my right cheek twitching involuntarily on sight of the second goal - something that had never happened before, nor since.
At 2-0 up, with the title in sight, 3,000 Gooners in the away end reminded their hosts, loudly, that it was 43 years and counting since they last won in the league – in black and white to boot.
Perhaps it was understandable that with the title all-but-clinched Arsenal’s intensity dropped.
The lead didn’t last. Jamie Redknapp and a Robbie Keane penalty brought the game level at 2-2.
Rivalry runs deep in the North London derby and the Spurs fans around me were celebrating as if they had won the league - not merely staved off defeat while their rivals won the league in their home.
“We’ve done it, we’ve done it,” one fan behind me bellowed.
“Done what?” I asked myself, taking the opportunity to kick off a trainer so I had an excuse to disappear beneath the wave of celebration to retrieve it. Anything to not be part of the reaction to the equaliser that put everything at risk.
The jubilation was not confined to the stands. It was out there on the pitch too.
Argentinian defender Mauricio Taricco, who prior to the equaliser had suffered a torrid afternoon chasing the Arsenal forward line, somehow managed to pull his hamstring during the revelry.
On the final whistle a visibly angry Henry gathered his troops and pointed out what Taricco had done. Despite the warnings against doing so from the powers that be before the game, he took his team to the corner where the Arsenal fans had congregated.
He then told his men to celebrate long and hard on the White Hart Lane turf.
“We certainly made sure we celebrated after,” recalled Ray Parlour when I asked him about his reaction to the result years later.
"I knew how big the rivalry was between the two teams growing up as a young Arsenal player, and we knew how special a triumph like that was for the fans as well.
"So we made sure we enjoyed winning the league at White Hart Lane."
Tottenham fans, mirroring their team, claimed that they had restored a semblance of pride.
But it was Arsenal who had won the league at White Hart Lane for the second time in the history of the North London derby – that was all that mattered to the visitors.
Arsenal fan John Williamson, who has attended more than 3,500 Gunners matches, was also present at the game and recalled how hairy it became for the visitors after leaving the stadium.
“Spurs fans were furious that we had won the league at their gaff,” he said.
“They had congregated outside the away end after the game like they normally did so that they could try and attack Arsenal fans.
“Arsenal fans stayed in the ground celebrating with the team for a long time but many Spurs fans had waited.
“There was a big police presence that day and it was a bit hairy, but as soon as we got back to the red side of North London we could continue our celebrations that had started in the ground.
“It was a day I’ll remember forever. And that's coming from someone who was at the 5-0 victory at the Lane in ’78.”
I was in the lower tier of the main stand, near to where the dugouts were and remember staying as long as I could to savour the moment, watching Henry and the rest of the team cavort in front of the away end.
Wenger himself joined in with the players afterwards, and in a shot which encapsulated the era, is pictured with his hands in the air in triumph in front of the celebrating Gooners.
In the background is a flag raised proudly by the fans. It read simply: “Arsene Knows."
Yet when asked whether his team would be celebrating the title that night, a deadly serious scowl came over him as he insisted: “No champagne - just water.”
It was unclear whether the dressing room heeded his advice.
Parlour could only smirk when the question over what the players got up to after leaving the pitch was posed.
“What did I do that night? I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t remember.
“I think I went out and celebrated for about three days afterwards!”
But Parlour and his teammates knew that the manager’s goal was to achieve a feat that had previously been thought impossible: to go unbeaten throughout a full 38 match league campaign – an accomplishment which would turn an extraordinary season into an immortal one.
One which would see them labelled for all eternity as The Invincibles.
And yet the day that Arsenal secured the Premier League title at the home of their great local rivals will live long in the memory of fans in its own right, claiming glory on the most hostile of territories both on the pitch - and in the stands.
This article first appeared in Football London, and was adapted from my book Arsene Wenger: 50 Defining Fixtures
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My picture of *that* Arsenal scarf at the Lane after the Gunners won 2-0 in January 2023