After a few years in which the balance of power in north London shifted, Arsenal have re-established their position as the dominant side in this part of England's capital.
The Gunners finished behind fierce rivals Tottenham for six consecutive seasons before their surprise title tilt in 2022/23 saw them come second in the Premier League, well clear of Spurs down in eighth.
Arsenal have mounted a stronger bid to win the league for the first time in 20 years this season, and ahead of the latest derby meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, they were already 17 points ahead of an improving Spurs back in fifth place.
This meant that the latest derby day was also St. Totteringham's Day. If you have little or no idea what that means, then read on — particularly if you're an Arsenal fan.
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What is St. Totteringham's Day?
Finishing above Tottenham had been a formality for much of Arsenal's recent history, even reaching the point that Arsenal supporters have invented a holiday to mark the occasion.
The Gunners celebrate St. Totteringham's Day, historically in April or May. It marks the day in the league season when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above Arsenal.
Before Tottenham vs. Arsenal on April 28, 2024, the Gunners had taken 77 points from 34 league games of the 2023/24 season. Spurs, meanwhile, were on 60 points, having played 32 matches. That meant it was still possible for Ange Postecoglou's team to finish above Arsenal, provided that they won the derby and all their other remaining games while hoping the Gunners lost theirs.
Arsenal nearly surrendered a comfortable lead, but they held on to win 3-2, meaning April 28 became St. Totteringham's Day for 2024.
MORE: How many times have Arsenal won the Premier League?
How many times have Spurs finished above Arsenal?
In the 31 seasons of the Premier League, Tottenham have finished above Arsenal on eight occasions.
Arsenal finished above Tottenham for 21 successive league campaigns, stretching from the 1995/96 season, up until the 2015/16 campaign. That streak was broken in 2016/17, when Arsenal fell out of the top four, while Tottenham finished in second.
| Season | Arsenal Finish |
Arsenal Points |
Spurs Finish |
Spurs Points |
| 1992-93 | 10th | 56 | 8th | 59 |
| 1993-94 | 4th | 71 | 15th | 45 |
| 1994-95 | 12th | 51 | 7th | 62 |
| 1995-96 | 5th | 63 | 8th | 61 |
| 1996-97 | 3rd | 68 | 10th | 46 |
| 1997-98 | 1st | 78 | 14th | 44 |
| 1998-99 | 2nd | 78 | 11th | 49 |
| 1999-00 | 2nd | 73 | 10th | 53 |
| 2000-01 | 2nd | 70 | 12th | 49 |
| 2001-02 | 1st | 87 | 9th | 50 |
| 2002-03 | 2nd | 78 | 10th | 50 |
| 2003-04 | 1st | 90 | 14th | 45 |
| 2004-05 | 2nd | 83 | 9th | 52 |
| 2005-06 | 4th | 67 | 5th | 65 |
| 2006-07 | 4th | 68 | 5th | 60 |
| 2007-08 | 3rd | 83 | 11th | 46 |
| 2008-09 | 4th | 72 | 8th | 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 | 8th | 56 | 6th | 59 |
| 2020/21 | 8th | 61 | 7th | 62 |
| 2021/22 | 5th | 69 | 4th | 71 |
| 2022/23 | 2nd | 84 | 8th | 60 |
What is the Arsenal vs Spurs head to head record?
Arsenal and Spurs have faced off on 64 occasions in league play during the Premier League era. Arsenal have won 25 of those games, and Spurs have won 15, with 24 draws.
The Gunners claimed both head-to-head matches in 2022/23, winning 3-1 in October 2022 and 2-0 on January 15, 2023. The first meeting of 2023/24 at Emirates Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw, and the return fixture saw Arsenal win 3-2.
The most memorable of those direct matchups might be when Arsenal clinched their last title and celebrated on Spurs' home ground.
The unbeaten Invincibles side travelled to White Hart Lane in April 2004, needing just a point to secure the league title. They went 2-0 up with goals from Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, before Spurs fought back through Jamie Redknapp and a late Robbie Keane equaliser. But the 2-2 draw left the Gunners supporters in jubilation.
When Arsenal visited Tottenham the following 2004/05 season (November 2004), the match again produced a memorable result.
Spurs started much the better side, taking the lead through Noureddine Naybet. Thierry Henry grabbed a goal for Arsenal, and they were improved after the break, which saw a ding-dong affair.
Lauren fired Arsenal into the lead from the spot, before the teams exchanged goals. Jermain Defoe and Ledley King for the hosts, Vieira and Freddie Ljungberg for the visitors. Pires looked to have the game safe, but a late goal from Freddie Kanoute meant it was a nervy finish for Arsenal. They saw out the win and the game ended 5-4, the highest scoring North London Derby to date.
The league match in October 2008 at Emirates Stadium came close to matching that result, finishing just one goal short.
The Gunners went behind early on a goal by former Arsenal player David Bentley. They hit back, and were 2-1 up after an hour. Emmanuel Adebayor scored Arsenal's third on 64 minutes, before Spurs' Darren Bent made it 3-2 a couple of minutes later. Two minutes after that, Arsenal scored again, Robin van Persie stretching the lead to 4-2. The hosts looked to see out the lead, but goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon at the death brought it back level for a 4-4 final.
Further evidence that North London derbies often produce goalfests: in 2012, Arsenal hosted Tottenham twice, first in February, and then again in October. They put 10 goals past their rivals in the calendar year, as both matches finished 5-2 to Arsenal, with the Gunners recovering from 2-0 down in the first game.