BRAGGING RIGHTS – Spurs and Arsenal fight for their rights in the North London Derby

There are derbies, and there are derbies. The one to watch this weekend sees Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal at Brisbane Road.   

Between three of us – Phoebe Music, Izzy Gilligan and Helen M Jerome – we’ve picked five games to tell the story of this always eagerly-awaited North London “Bragging Rights” Derby.

And we’re running the games backwards, starting with a rather unexpected turnaround at Meadow Park…

Martin Ho’s Spurs have surprised almost everyone so far this season, including their own fans. And under their new boss, their excellent start kept them ahead of their North London rivals… until now. Both sides head into Sunday’s clash with 15 points apiece, and only goal difference separating them.

Stats suggest that Arsenal are overwhelming favourites; out of fifteen competitive meetings across the seasons, Spurs have only produced one win as opposed to Arsenal’s eleven. But there’s something different about Tottenham this time around.

Arsenal will no doubt still be feeling aggrieved over some controversial decisions in their draw with Chelsea. And Spurs will be keen to bounce back after conceding two late goals against London City Lionesses last weekend.

Slegers says of Spurs: “They’ve changed the way they play. They play more aggressive. They go more player for player, and higher. And they try to make it difficult for teams. You see a lot of structure in the way they play, and they do have individuals with quality.”

Ho says: “You have to appreciate Arsenal are a super, super team and they’re going to have possession and going to make us surrender at times.”

With 28,852 fans attending last season’s North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the match at Brisbane Road is sure to bring in plenty of fans. It’s definitely one not to miss.

#HOPEYCHANGEY

Pre-Season Friendly   23 August 2025, Meadow Park                     Arsenal 3 Spurs 4

Panic on the streets of Borehamwood, as Morrissey didn’t sing. Though Spurs did give Arsenal a panicky wake-up call in this pre-season friendly. Gunners’ fans turned up, but their team didn’t, in a match where they did at least show off their new signings, Olivia Smith and Taylor Hinds.

At this point, apart from their new manager, Martin Ho, Spurs’ sole signing was Toko Koga. And the 19-year-old Japanese centre back instantly looked the part, from her fab-four fringe to her effortless calm on the ball.

Cathinka Tandberg had yet to join as the new centre forward, so Beth England instead stepped up, scoring twice against Arsenal. She said Ho pushed them to be more aggressive and in teams’ faces, having been too soft in previous seasons.

Ho praised his Spurs’ players’ courage and trust, but most important was their ruthless edge in front of goal. “When we got chances and got into attacking positions, we were creating big enough opportunities. We’re taking chances, creating chances, you get a good bit of good fortune with maybe the free kick and the penalty, but actually getting into those positions is more important.”

You might also point at both keepers, with Lize Kop looking pretty solid, and Arsenal’s new German goalie, Anneke Borbe looking rather less composed, even nervy.

Yes, this was a friendly, but it still shocked many Gooners out of their complacency, and the new Spurs boss put the Ho into Hope.

#OUTFOXED

WSL     16 February 2025, Emirates                           Arsenal 5 Spurs 0

As a first outing to the Emirates as a journalist, a North London derby was the perfect match – anticipating a fierce contest in front of a huge crowd.

With almost 57,000 Arsenal fans packing the stands, the set-up was there. A fierce contest, though? Not quite.

But it was far from a quiet match report, with Arsenal – and especially Emily Fox – having other ideas.

A dominant display was on the cards instead, kicking off with a Clare Hunt own goal, followed by hero-of-the-season Mariona Caldentey making it two before half time.

Frida Maanum scored a third for the Gunners, and golden boots Alessia Russo got the fourth, Tottenham were unable to get a sniff at goal.

It wasn’t just the goals Arsenal fans were excited about, the stadium erupted when the “brand new” number 18, Chloe Kelly stepped up from the bench to make her (second) Arsenal debut. What a fitting occasion for the Hale End alumnus.

Just before full time, Fox unleashed an absolute rocket of a strike into the top left corner, sealing the Gunners’ derby day delight.

#FASTSTART

WSL     16 November 2024, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium                Spurs 0 Arsenal 3

This game started quickly. Very quickly. Alessia Russo found the net within two minutes, giving the home side an early mountain to climb.

And the mountain doubled in size in the 22nd minute when captain Kim Little’s ball found Frida Maanum in the box. Her finish was never in doubt.

Conceding these early goals foreshadowed of Spurs’ disappointing season, while getting the entire Arsenal away end on their feet, relishing the derby drama.

When Stina Blackstenius came on as a sub in the second half, she put this match to bed for Arsenal, scoring their third after a clever ball from Mariona Caldentey.

A big statement from interim manager Renée Slegers in her first North London derby, a win on the road leaving Tottenham floating round the bottom two.

#SELLOUT

WSL                 3 March 2024, Emirates         Arsenal 1 Spurs 0

An incredible 60,050 tickets were sold for this game, played in good humour and bright sunshine – with Alex Scott and Jess Glynne watching on (above, centre).  In the end it was settled by a solitary Alessia Russo goal – one of an incredible sixteen scored in her debut season for Arsenal, after joining on a free from Manchester United.

Not that there weren’t a few heart-stopping moments for the home fans, especially when Jess Naz hit the crossbar. Spurs were no pushover, solid at the back in manager Robert Vilahamn’s cautious set-up, but with Celin Bizet surging down the wing, and her best mate, the on-loan sensation Grace Clinton providing both creativity and engine in midfield.

It took until just after the break for the Gunners to break through decisively, thanks to Beth Mead’s incisive pass and Russo’s finish. You could feel the relief on the final whistle, as sub Leah Williamson raised her fist in victory. 

#SHUTOUT

WSL                 16 December 2023, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium                Spurs 1 Arsenal 0

Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the 23-24 season was magical (at least if you were a Spurs fan). And the game was defined by Barbora Votíková’s brilliance in goal (above, left). Making her WSL debut, she impressed with her key interventions and magnificent saves when Spurs needed it most.

But it was the collective effort that saw the squad clinch the victory, in a move made up of an incredible 13 passes. The decisive moment came from this magnificent team goal, started by Votíková, via quick passes from Spurs’ left, into midfield via Grace Clinton, with Celin Bizet finally shifting the ball across to Martha Thomas, who slotted it home to seal a historic win.

To add insult to injury, Spurs sub Rosella Ayane could have added a second at the death, as Arsenal were wide open at the back as their attackers poured forward in waves.

This was Spurs’ first ever WSL victory over their North London rivals, sealed in front of 19,480 fans. As the final whistle blew, the home supporters erupted in joy while the visiting Arsenal contingent were remarkably quiet.

Photos from: Spurs, Arsenal and Helen M Jerome