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Memorable North London derby moments

Paul Gascoigne sealed his place in Spurs history books with his free-kick at Wembley © Getty Images

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Manchester United's goalless draw at Manchester City last week epitomised the edgy, nervous affairs that local derbies so often throw up. However, the North London showdown always seem to prove an exception to the rule - with more than their fair share of high-scoring encounters and memorable moments. Ahead of this weekend's clash between Arsenal and Tottenham at Emirates Stadium, we take our pick of ten of the best moments in the history of the North London rivals.

Gazza's Wembley free-kick: Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal, 1991
In 1991 the North London derby headed west, in the first FA Cup semi-final to be staged at Wembley, and a single kick sealed Paul Gascoigne's status as a Spurs legend. Gazza's fifth minute free-kick is arguably one the greatest FA Cup goals, but he nearly didn't make it after undergoing abdominal surgery a month earlier. After winning his race to be fit, Gazza immediately made his mark, sending a long-range free-kick rocketing past David Seaman. Spurs went on to win the game, largely thanks to two goals from another Spurs favourite, Gary Lineker, and they went on to beat Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in the final to claim their first silverware in seven years. Gazza's post-match analysis:"Wasn't bad, was it?"

Nine-goal rollercoaster: Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal, 2004
In the highest-scoring North London derby, two leaky defences and nine different goalscorers saw the visitors take all three points back down the road to Highbury. Mocked by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as a 'hockey score', it was certainly a baptism of fire for new Spurs boss Martin Jol. Spurs took a shock lead through Noureddine Naybet, only to be cancelled out by Thierry Henry. Lauren put the Gunners ahead for the first time from the penalty spot, and Patrick Vieira made it 3-1, before Jermain Defoe pulled one back for Spurs. Freddie Ljungberg restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage only for Ledley King to make it 4-3. Robert Pires looked to have sealed the win, but Freddie Kanoute's 88th minute goal made for a nervy finish in a rollercoaster derby clash. "Usually derbies are 0-0 or completely crazy and today's was a completely crazy one," said Wenger.

Arsenal's players celebrated their victory at White Hart Lane long after the Spurs fans had left © Getty Images

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Arsenal's 'invincibles' clinch the title at the Lane: Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal, 2004
If your fierce rivals winning the Premier League isn't bad enough, Spurs fans had to suffer the indignity of Arsenal sealing the title at White Hart Lane. Wenger's 'invincibles' looked to be on course to seal the league title in style when Patrick Vieira slid home after just three minutes, and Robert Pires doubled the Gunners' lead ten minutes before half-time. Although Robbie Keane's equaliser after Jamie Redknapp's strike took the shine off their triumph, victory tasted sweet for Arsenal, who went on to complete the first unbeaten league campaign in more than a century.

Liam Brady's wonder goal: Tottenham 0-5 Arsenal, 1978
An Alan Sunderland hat-trick helped Arsenal to one of their most emphatic victories at White Hart Lane in 1978, but his performance was overshadowed by his team-mate Liam Brady. Now the head of youth development at the Gunners, Brady had dominated the midfield and capped a memorable victory at the lane with a superb individual strike that curled around Spurs keeper Mark Kendall. "Look at that. Oh, look at that," screamed commentator John Motson. Spurs had their revenge five years later with a 5-0 reverse at White Hart Lane.

Spurs end derby drought: Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal, 2008
Arsenal's young guns had blazed their way past Sheffield United and found their way past Blackburn, but came up against an inspired Tottenham side in the Carling Cup semi-finals. Spurs should have put the tie beyond doubt after dominating the first leg at Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal still had it all to play for after a late goal from Theo Walcott sealed a 1-1 draw. But nobody would have expected the result at White Hart Lane, as Spurs ended an eight-year winless streak in style in a performance Spurs boss Juande Ramos hailed as "perfect". Jermaine Jenas fired Spurs ahead in the opening three minutes after a flick on from Dimitar Berbatov. It became 2-0 shortly before the half-hour mark when Nicklas Bendtner headed Jenas' cross into his own net. Second-half goals from Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon put the Spurs fans in dreamland, and it was not to be dampened by Emmanuel Adebayor's consolation - as Steed Malbranque's late goal re-established their four-goal cushion. "In order to beat a team like Arsenal, you have to play well. We didn't make mistakes and were perfect in all areas of the team," Ramos said.

Martin Jol refuses to back down © Getty Images

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Jol squares up to Wenger: Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham, April 2006
With both sides in the running for the final Champions League spot, the last derby at Highbury always promised to produce fireworks. After Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto Silva were injured in the build-up to Robbie Keane's goal, Wenger was furious. The Gunners boss confronted Jol on the touchline - and the pair had to be separated by the fourth official, and Wenger refused to shake Jol's hand at the final whistle. To add fuel to the fire, Jol claimed he "didn't see" the incident.

Thierry Henry's moment of magic: Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham, 2002
Thierry Henry was already a cult hero at Highbury, but his superb individual goal against rivals Spurs secured his status as one of Arsenal's greatest strikers. Wenger's Arsenal sides are synonymous with the counter-attack, but Henry singlehandedly ripped through the Tottenham defence to put his side on their way to a 3-0 victory. Collecting Patrick Vieira's headed clearance well inside his own half, Henry burst past Matthew Etherington before taking on the defence, sidestepping Stephen Carr's challenge before slotting the ball past Kasey Keller. Despite his 80-yard burst, Henry still had enough in the tank to run back to his own half to celebrate.

Spurs snatch a last-gasp point: Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham Hotspur, 2008
A match that can lay claim to being one of the greatest Premier League matches as well as one of the best North London derbies, this was 90 minutes of high-octane football with a few goalkeeping errors thrown in for good measure. David Bentley's stunning long-range volley against his old club caught Manuel Almunia off his line and set the tone for the evening. Heurelho Gomes' flapping handed Arsenal two goals on a plate and Almunia gifted Darren Bent one of the easiest finishes of his career. But with Arsenal coasting to victory, Spurs snatched an unlikely draw in the 95th minute after Aaron Lennon poked home after Luka Modric's long-range effort cracked the post.

Danny Rose's volley capped a dream debut for the youngster © Getty Images

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Dream debut for Danny Rose: Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal, 2009
Danny Who? Former Leeds trainee Rose sealed his place in Tottenham folklore when his superb left-foot volley inspired a derby-day victory for Spurs and all but end Arsenal's title aspirations. Thrown into the lion's den with a first league start in the derby, Rose made himself a cult hero with a 'one in a million' goal to help Spurs secure a 2-1 victory - their first league win against Arsenal in 21 attempts. Manuel Almunia's punched clearance sailed out of the penalty area, and rather than control and float the ball back into the box, Rose unleashed a left-foot thunderbolt which dipped under Almunia's crossbar. "I'd like to think it will be up there when it comes to goal of the season. I hope my mum has taped it for me," said Rose, who admitted to swapping shirts with Theo Walcott.

Lasagna-gate: 2006
Although not strictly a derby clash, it was certainly Arsenal 1 Tottenham 0 in the run-in to the 2005-06 season. Both sides were on the hunt for Champions League football, with the Gunners in real danger of missing out to their bitter rivals. A win at West Ham would have been enough for Spurs to clinch fourth place, regardless of Arsenal's result, but on the eve of their final match of the season, ten Spurs players, including seven of the starting XI, were struck down by food poisoning. Cries of foul play after the players ate at the five-star Marriott Hotel in Canary Wharf were inevitably raised, but a subsequent investigation cleared the hotel of any claims of deliberate tampering. Arsenal had to thank their lucky stars, a dodgy lasagne and of course the Hammers for grinding out a 2-1 win, as they came from behind to beat Wigan 4-2 to snatch fourth place.

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