Why Arsenal v Spurs means goals, goals and more goals!

Despite falling behind, Arsenal rallied to record another enthralling 5-2 victory over their bitter north London rivals.

Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring for Tottenham, but, caught up in the emotion of the occasion against his former club, was sent off shortly afterwards, with Arsenal going into half-time 3-1 ahead through goals from Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

Santi Cazorla, in his first north London derby, made it 4-1, and, despite Gareth Bale reducing the deficit with a superb individual goal, Theo Walcott added a fifth for Arsenal late on to mirror the scoreline of the corresponding fixture from the previous season.

Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2 February 26 2012

The signs looked ominous for Arsenal early on when Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor goals saw Tottenham race into an early lead.

But Bacary Sagna and Robin van Persie found the net to draw the Gunners level before the break.

A well-taken goal from Tomas Rosicky and a quickfire brace from Theo Walcott rubbed further salt into the wounds of Tottenham, whose misery was compounded by Scott Parker’s late dismissal.

Arsenal 2 Tottenham 3 November 20 2010

Tottenham finally ended their 17-year wait for an away win at Arsenal in this gripping encounter.

Arsenal appeared to be cruising towards victory following first-half goals from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh, but Spurs proceeded to stage a second-half fightback.

First Gareth Bale beat the stranded Lukasz Fabianski to reduce the deficit to 2-1, before Rafael van der Vaart equalised from the penalty spot after Cesc Fabregas blocked the Dutchman’s free-kick with his arm.

The deciding moment came with just five minutes remaining when Younes Kaboul, the unlikeliest of heroes, headed powerfully past the stranded Fabianski.

Arsenal 3 Tottenham 0 October 31 2009

This game is perhaps best remembered for the breakneck speed with which Arsenal doubled their lead just before the break.

Robin van Persie made it 1-0 with a clinical strike past Heurelho Gomes, and, with Tottenham still reeling from that concession, Cesc Fabregas raced upfield straight from kick-off to make it 2-0 to Arsenal just 11 seconds later.

Van Persie added another after the interval to complete a satisfying day for the Gunners.

Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4 October 29 2008

For all the drama that this fixture conjures up year upon year, this was one the most eventful meetings between the two sides of recent times.

David Bentley, facing the club where he came through the ranks, put Tottenham ahead with a stupendous strike, only for centre-back Mikael Silvestre to pull Arsenal level before half-time.

William Gallas, against the side he would join two years later, put Arsenal ahead just after the restart and that lead was increased by Emmanuel Adebayor’s strike.

In a manic few minutes, Darren Bent then pulled a goal back for Spurs before Robin van Persie looked to have sealed victory for Arsenal.

Tottenham would not give up the fight, however, and their perseverance eventually paid off with first Jermaine Jenas and then Aaron Lennon scoring in the dying stages to secure a point for their side.