Any day in which Arsenal beats Tottenham (or any day in which Tottenham loses at all for that matter) is a good day in our books, and it just so happens today represents a significant occasion for Arsenal. On this day in 1909, the first ever competitive match was played between the two sides, and Arsenal came out on top 1-0 courtesy of a Walter Lawrence goal.

The ground was Manor Ground in Plumstead South East London, so the match was not technically a North London derby. Arsenal were a second division side at the time, and were called “Royal Arsenal” then. Four years later Arsenal moved to Highbury, just four miles from White Hart Lane and thus becoming Tottenham’s closest neighbor in proximity. Arsenal would win again, 5-1 on August 22, 2014. Despite Arsenal being a second division side and Spurs being in the first division, a natural rivalry began to ensue. The sides continually played each other during World War 1 in the football combination tournament.

Bad blood (no pun intended) didn’t really surface between the two sides until after World War 1 when Arsenal were promoted to the first division ahead of Tottenham in controversial (according to Spurs fans) fashion. The division was to be expanded by two teams, one of which went to 19th placed Chelsea. 20th place Tottenham were relegated and were amongst one of the teams to bid along with second division sides Arsenal, Burnley, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, and Hull.

Arsenal would go on to win the vote after an endorsement by League President and Liverpool chairman John McKenna, as well as alleged (and to this day unproven) “underhand” dealings by Arsenal chairman Sir Henry Norris. Sounds like Spurs bitterness if you ask me. And bitter they were. Furious, they were relegated to the second division. They were promoted after the 1919-1920 season and returned with much hate and resentment.

A truly intense and passionate rivalry was born. Unfortunately, it was Spurs who took the first league meeting between the two sides while both in North London 2-1 on Janury 15, 1921 at White Hart Lane, but Arsenal got revenge 3-2 in the return fixture just six days later.

From then on the rest is history as they say. The bitter, ill feeling between both sides and supporters has never faded since then and to this day the north london derby is one of the premier matches to tune in to.

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