The Arsenal Derby shows key rivalries, historic matches, and the legacy of the fixture. Fans get insights into its importance today.
Arsenal is a football club that’s defined by the rivalry it shares with other English clubs, especially in London. The term “Arsenal Derby” goes beyond a regular matchday. It’s the basis of the club’s existence, and these rivalries have shaped the Gunners into what they are today. This article breaks down some of Arsenal’s most intense rivalries, including the following:
Matches played with each of these teams have gone down as some of the most exciting in English football, with Arsenal battling with these heavyweight rivals on the biggest stages in the country. If you’re an Arsenal fan looking to learn more about the club’s historic rivalries with these teams, then you’re on the right web page.
The North London Derby is one of the fiercest rivalries in English football. It is so intense that Arsenal fans have revealed in public interviews that they would rather see their team lose a Champions League final than see Spurs win a league title, or any title for that matter.
Their first meeting dates back to 1887, but there was little to no rivalry at the time, or so everyone thought. The rivalry became massive when Arsenal moved to Highbury from Woolwich, which was four miles from Spurs’ White Hart Lane. The proximity sparked what we all know as the North London Derby today, as both teams have since been fighting for local pride and supremacy.
History records 197 competitive matches between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, with the former holding the edge with 84 wins, including two so far in 2025. Tottenham Hotspur has won 61 times, while 52 games have ended in a draw.
Over the years, both teams have had their periods of dominance, with Arsenal establishing itself as the more successful team in terms of trophies and league titles. However, Tottenham has been competitive in many derbies, and matches between the two clubs are often tightly contested, regardless of the positions they hold in the league table.
While Arsenal dominates the overall head-to-head, Tottenham has managed to secure some important wins, particularly in the Premier League era. For instance, in the 2009/2010 season, Spurs secured a dramatic 3-2 win at the Emirates, with Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring the final goal to complete a memorable comeback.
The North London Derby has produced many memorable matches, each one contributing to the ongoing saga of this fierce rivalry. Here are a few notable ones:
The cultural significance of the North London Derby extends well beyond the pitch. As one of the biggest rivalries in English football, these matches have shaped the identities of both clubs and their fans over the years. The competition has led to heated debates, passionate chants, and a deep sense of rivalry passed down through generations.
Arsenal fans use Tottenham’s lack of trophies to taunt the opposition fans, but the irony is that the Gunners haven’t had much luck in that department either. Both clubs have struggled for trophies since the early 2000s. Arsenal’s Invincible run remains the club’s highlight in more than two decades, and Spurs’ fans don’t hold back in letting the opposition fans know that.
The Gunners have only settled for a few cup competitions since that time, with the 2004 league title being the last in the club’s history so far. On the other hand, Tottenham broke its trophyless run last season after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final to win its first title since the 2008 League Cup triumph.
If you ask any English football fan to point you in the direction of the ultimate “London Derby,” this is the fixture most folks will reference. The pair had their first league meeting in 1907, with the Blues claiming the victory with a 2-1 score line. The rivalry remained relatively quiet due to Chelsea’s inferior status to Arsenal until the early 2000s.
Roman Abramovich’s acquisition of Chelsea in 2003 put the Blues in a better position to challenge the best English clubs for the best titles. This brought substantial financial investment, enabling Chelsea to sign high-profile players and challenge Arsenal’s dominance in English football. The Blues snatched the league title from Arsenal after the Invincible season, with Jose Mourinho leading Chelsea to back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006.
Several matches between Arsenal and Chelsea have been particularly memorable:
Over the past two decades, both clubs have experienced periods of success, contributing to the rivalry's intensity.
The rivalry between Arsenal and West Ham United is not as intense as Arsenal's battles with Tottenham or Chelsea, but it is still a significant part of London’s football culture. The two teams are separated by just a few miles, with West Ham based in the East End and Arsenal in North London. This geographical proximity has created a natural rivalry over the years, fueled by competition for local pride. While Arsenal has typically enjoyed more success, West Ham has always been seen as a tough opponent, particularly in derby matches.
Arsenal has been the stronger team in the rivalry in the past two decades. The North London club has also been more successful, winning a few cup titles in addition to its massive title challenges in recent years. The Gunners have improved under Mikel Arteta, leading to their yearly title challenge against the top clubs in the country, like Manchester City and Liverpool.
While West Ham United hasn’t reached Arsenal’s heights during this period, the Hammers did win the UEFA Europa Conference League in the 2022/23 season under David Moyes. Sadly, they seem to have fallen off after that Conference League triumph, with the club sacking three managers (Moyes, Lopetegui, and Graham Potter) since then.
The Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry isn’t a traditional one. It began heating up in the early 1990s when both teams consistently competed for the top spot in English football. Sir Alex Ferguson built one of the most successful teams in history at Manchester United, with Arsene Wenger laying the foundations for a new era at Arsenal when he joined in 1996. The Frenchman introduced a new style of football and created a team that would compete for the Premier League at the very top level.
At some point, they were the best teams in England. United won a treble in 1999, and Arsenal won the 2003/04 Premier League title without losing a single game. Both teams continued to compete, but eventually went in different directions, as Manchester United became more dominant while Arsenal faded into the background.
The tactical battle between Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson was a thing to behold. Wenger built a team known for its possession-based football, while Ferguson was famous for its all-round, relentless work rate. The difference in styles often collided with results. While Arsenal depended on a more patient build-up, United played fast-paced football, which became even more popular when players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney joined the club.
Older players like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira for Arsenal, and Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane for United, became central figures in this tactical contest. Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, particularly, were at the heart of this rivalry with their nasty encounters. Things have slowed down in the past few years, as United is no longer seen as a title challenger, while Arsenal has become the better team.
The Arsenal Derby has always been one of the highlights of English football. It’s not just about the matches themselves, but the deep-rooted rivalry, pride, and history that come with them. Each time Arsenal faces Tottenham, Chelsea, or Manchester United, it feels like much more than just a game. The stakes are high, and emotions run deep for both the players and the fans.
No matter how the teams evolve or where they stand in the league, these rivalries remain a key part of what makes English football so special. The Arsenal Derby will always hold a place at the heart of the game, capturing the passion of fans season after season.
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