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.
2023/24 was Arsenal’s second straight season ahead of their notorious neighbours, meaning a second consecutive edition of St. Totteringham’s Day following that six-year break.
Following Mikel Arteta’s side piling more pressure on Ange Postecoglou with a battling 2-1 derby win on January 15, it already feels like a third St. Tott’s is an inevitability.
If you have little or no idea what all of this 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 last time to date the occasion was confirmed for certain, 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 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.
It will take a fair few more EPL fixtures here in 2024/25 before mathematical certainty is an option, but with the Gunners 19 points ahead of Spurs with 21 of 38 fixtures played, it already feels like a matter of when, not if.
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How many times have Spurs finished above Arsenal?
In the 32 seasons of the Premier League, Tottenham have finished above Arsenal on eight occasions. So, as at the end of the 23/24 season, Arsenal have finished ahead of Spurs three times for every one time they haven’t.
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 |
| 2023/24 | 2nd | 89 | 5th | 66 |
Arsenal vs Spurs head to head: Their Premier League history
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.
And now Arteta’s men have continued their NLD sweep since restoring St. Tott’s, as a September 1-0 win at Tottenham Stadium is followed by the 2-1 success courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s winner.
The most memorable of their direct matchups in the Prem era 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.
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