Derby Tracker: North London Derby (Arsenal FC v. Tottenham Hotspur)
By: AT
Image Credit: James Kirkup
This derby, between two Premier League (EPL) clubs from London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, and among two of the EPL’s “big-six clubs”, is one of the most highly coveted matchups in the world. A derby filled with history — from glory to treachery — the Arsenal FC—Tottenham Hotspur matchup is the battle for supremacy in Northern London.
Both clubs have passionate fanbases, which are mainly characterized by the London borough of residence: Arsenal supporters reside generally in Islington, while Tottenham supporters reside generally in Haringey. Both boroughs are the locations in which the clubs’ respective stadiums are located.
Similar to other rivalries, there is no love between the two fanbases. Over the years, supporters from both clubs have clashed, generally outside of stadiums. In addition to average clashes that result in a handful of injuries and arrests, one example of a more violent clash occurred in May 2023, when a supporter took a punch and fell onto train tracks, narrowly escaping death.
In the first North London Derby of the 2025-26 season, which took place on November 23, 2025, the London Police used DNA spray tagging for the first time. DNA spray tagging is “a forensic tool” used to mark an individual’s skin and clothing with a unique code. Using ultraviolet light, the spray will be traceable for several weeks, which will reduce the likelihood of naughty supporters eluding the authorities.
On the pitch, players from both clubs also tend to lose their cool. Since the formation of the EPL ahead of the 1992-93 season, this matchup boasts the highest number of penalties (26), with all but two attempts resulting in a goal.
Moreover, supporters and club personnel take matters personal when a player of one of the two clubs joins the opposite club. No event better describes this than defender Sol Campbell’s free transfer from Tottenham to Arsenal in July 2001. A born leader and star defender in the EPL and for the English senior men’s national team at the time, Campbell’s transfer remains infamous, having spent nine tumultuous years at Spurs before making his move to The Gunners. To add insult to injury, after winning one title during his tenure with Tottenham, Campbell played a crucial role in Arsenal’s consecutive title wins in 2002-03 and 2003-04, the latter of which Arsenal became the first — and only — club to conclude an EPL season undefeated (after 38 matches). The Englishman was also a member of Arsenal’s 2005-06 squad that mustered a run to that season’s UEFA Champions League final; two months later, Campbell signed for then-EPL rivals Portsmouth FC on a free transfer.
Campbell is one of four players in the men’s game to have played for both clubs’ first teams, though he became the first to have crossed enemy lines. The three other players — in chronological order from the time the player joined the first of two clubs — are the following:
midfielder David Bentley: at Arsenal from July 2003 to December 2005; at Tottenham from July 2008 to June 2013;
Forward Emmanuel Adebayor: at Arsenal from January 2006 to June 2009; at Tottenham from August 2011 to September 2015; and
defender William Gallas: at Arsenal from August 2006 to August 2010; at Tottenham from August 2010 to June 2013.
Among the three players, only Gallas joined Tottenham directly from Arsenal.
Regarding managers, George Graham is the most notable of all to have managed both clubs. During his tenure at Arsenal — from May 1986 to February 1995 — in 451 matches across all competitions, Graham led Arsenal to the Football League First Division title in 1988-89 and 1990-91, the FA Cup title in 1992-93; the EFL Cup title in 1986-87 and 1992-93; and the now-defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1993-94. While managing Tottenham — from October 1998 to March 2001 — in 124 matches across all competitions, Graham led the club to the 1998-99 EFL Cup title.
Regarding glorious moments from the North London Derby, notable characteristics include the following:
high-scoring matches, being the fifth-highest scoring matchup;
the home club winning the vast majority of their matches; and
Higher chances of either club rallying to comeback victories compared to other matchups.
Historically, both clubs have played each other 198 times, including the November 23, 2025 match, which ended in a decisive 4-1 home victory for Arsenal. As of November 24, 2025, the North London Derby record is the following:
85 Arsenal wins;
61 Tottenham wins; and
52 draws.
The second North London Derby match in the EPL will take place on February 21, 2026 — the 27th matchday of the 2025-26 EPL season.
Comment below which of the two clubs will win the next North London Derby match!
