Since Arsenal left Highbury for the gleaming Emirates Stadium in 2006, Tottenham Hotspur have made the short trip across North London with varying levels of hope and dread. For Spurs fans, the Emirates has often felt like a neighbour’s house where you’re never quite welcome, and where the furniture is usually rearranged by the 70th minute. Yet amid the pain and the noise, there have been moments when Tottenham have walked away with pride, and even a point or two to show for their efforts.
Head-to-Head Record at the Emirates Stadium
| Competition | Games Played | Arsenal Wins | Draws | Tottenham Wins | Arsenal Goals | Tottenham Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 40 | 24 |
| League Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 44 | 25 |
Statistics up to 2025.
Highlights and Notable Encounters
The First Clash: 2006
The inaugural North London Derby at the Emirates ended 3–0 to Arsenal, with goals from Adebayor and two from Baptista in a League Cup semi-final that felt like a statement of territorial dominance. For Spurs fans, it was a sobering welcome to their rivals’ new home.
The Comeback That Stung: 4–4 in 2008
In one of the most chaotic derbies of the Premier League era, Tottenham clawed back from 4–2 down with two late goals in the final minutes. David Bentley’s stunning volley from 40 yards opened the scoring, before Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon snatched a result that remains one of Spurs’ most dramatic moments at the Emirates.
“We showed heart, spirit, and a bit of madness,” said then-manager Harry Redknapp, who had only been in charge for two days.
The Rare Win: 3–2 in 2010
For a decade, this was the holy grail of Spurs away days. Goals from Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart inspired Tottenham to overturn a 2–0 deficit, securing their first league win at Arsenal in 17 years. It was also a symbolic moment in their evolution under Harry Redknapp, a sign that Tottenham were beginning to close the gap.
The Cup Setback: 2018 League Cup Quarter-Final
A slick Arsenal side featuring Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Özil dismantled Spurs 2–0 in a game remembered for the intensity off the pitch as much as on it. Spurs’ frustrations boiled over, with tempers flaring and a feeling that the old hierarchy had reasserted itself.
Recent Years: A Mixed Bag
Since 2019, Tottenham have found the Emirates to be a difficult hunting ground again. Despite occasional resilience, Arsenal’s high press and home form have usually proved too strong. The 2023 and 2024 draws were rare moments of parity, with Son Heung-min scoring in both fixtures.
Goals, Drama, and Turning Points
- Most goals by a Tottenham player at the Emirates: Harry Kane (5)
- Most heated encounter: 2012 Premier League, Arsenal 5–2 Spurs – twice in the same season, which should probably be illegal.
- Most dramatic finish: The 4–4 draw in 2008 remains the benchmark for chaos.
- Biggest Spurs win: 3–2 in 2010.
- Biggest Arsenal win: 5–2 (2012, twice).
Patterns and Psychology
The Emirates has rarely been kind to Tottenham, but it has also mirrored the broader arc of the rivalry. Spurs’ moments of triumph, 2010, the odd draw in the 2020s, coincide with their competitive surges in the league. Arsenal’s dominance on home soil, meanwhile, reflects the atmosphere of a ground where the home crowd senses blood at the first whiff of weakness.
There is also a psychological factor. Tottenham’s approach at the Emirates has often been reactive, cautious, or simply overwhelmed by Arsenal’s tempo. When Spurs have played with courage and pace, particularly in 2010 and 2023, they’ve looked capable of more.
The Atmosphere
For all the tactical nuance, nothing quite defines the Emirates derby like the sound. From the pre-match roar to the ripple of chants and the occasional plastic bottle, it’s a cauldron disguised as a corporate bowl. Every misplaced pass is greeted like a small victory, every goal like a declaration of war. For Spurs players, it’s a test not just of ability, but of nerve.
Legacy of the Emirates Era
Since 2006, the Emirates has become the stage for a rivalry that feels as raw as ever. Tottenham’s poor record there may sting, but it also fuels the narrative that keeps the derby alive. When Spurs finally do win convincingly again on Arsenal’s turf, it won’t just be three points, it will be a cathartic exorcism of almost two decades of frustration.
Until then, Spurs fans will keep making that short, hopeful journey up the Seven Sisters Road, dreaming of the day they can silence the red half of North London.
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