Three of the best London derbies from recent years





Smith Rowe


Three of the best London derbies from recent years

By Kit Shepard

Arsenal have had some titanic clashes with London rivals.

Whether they are taking on Tottenham in the North London Derby or battling Chelsea, their familiar West London foe, emotions often run high in tenacious encounters.

The Gunners have enjoyed several memorable occasions against these opponents, with stunning comebacks, cup final victories and slick attacking displays all included. Here are three of the best recent Arsenal matches against sides from across the capital.

Scintillating second half earns comeback win: Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham (December 2018)

Unai Emery’s spell as Arsenal manager is remembered for its acrimonious ending, but there was a brief period under him where the Gunners appeared a club reborn.

The Spaniard’s first North London Derby was perhaps the highlight of his time at the Emirates Stadium. Hosting a Tottenham side above them in the table, Arsenal produced an electric display to go above their biggest rivals.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put the hosts ahead with a 10th-minute penalty, but an Eric Dier header and a Harry Kane spot-kick gave Spurs the lead at the interval.

Yet, on a characteristically feisty occasion, Arsenal flourished after the break. A fine, curling effort from Aubameyang drew them level before Alexandre Lacazette, having been played in by fellow half-time substitute Aaron Ramsey, fired home in the 74th-minute. Fittingly, Lucas Torreira, who dominated proceedings with his aggression and creativity, sealed the points with a goal three minutes later.

The victory stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 19 and, with Emery conducting a raucous crowd and his side playing fine football, it briefly appeared that a successful era had begun.

Aubameyang brace seals cup glory: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (August 2020)

Arsenal could not kick on after Emery, who was replaced by Mikel Arteta in December 2019. The former Gunners player returned to a club in disarray, with a series of terrible results seeing them languishing in the bottom half.

Over the rest of the season, Arteta commenced his rebuild project. They would finish the season 8th in the Premier League and had the chance to end it with a record-extending 14th FA Cup win. London-rivals Chelsea stood in their way at Wembley.

Frank Lampard’s team took the lead after five minutes when formed Gunner Olivier Giroud laid-off Christian Pulisic, who slotted past Emiliano Martínez.

Yet, Arsenal showed the fighting spirit that has become a feature of Arteta’s reign. Aubameyang equalised from the penalty spot and the sides went into half-time level.

Then, midway through the second period, the defining moment came. Aubameyang picked up the ball in the area, jinked past Kurt Zouma and delicately chipped over Willy Caballero. His superb solo effort proved to be the winner, with Chelsea unable to respond once Mateo Kovačić was sent off in the 73rd minute. The only pity was that Covid-19 restrictions meant the showpiece was played behind closed doors.

In a tense final featuring few clear-cut chances, Aubameyang’s flash of genius proved the difference.

Young Gunners put Spurs to the sword: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham (September 2021)

The first North London Derby in front of a capacity crowd for over two years was worth the wait.

After losing their first three league games of the 2021-22 season, Arteta’s team won their next two and entered the encounter with cautious optimism. However, even the most upbeat Gunners fan could not have predicted what was to follow.

Emile Smith Rowe opened the scoring after 12 minutes, before Aubameyang finished off a glorious counter-attack just before the half-hour mark. It was 3-0 by half-time, as another counter ended with Bukayo Saka netting his first league goal of the season. As well as the 20-year-old Saka, the move featured Smith Rowe, 21, and Martin Ødegaard, 22, as Arsenal’s youth movement showed its potential.

Son Heung-min scored a late consolation for Tottenham, but it mattered not. Having been nine points behind Spurs three games into the campaign, Arsenal had managed to overtake them by matchweek six.


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