The end of the 1994/95 saw Tottenham finish eleven points ahead of Arsenal. Both teams ended that season without a trophy. With Tottenham also taking four points from Arsenal that season, it remains the most recent occasion on which Tottenham could legitimately claim to be ‘the pride of North London’.
Media and fans alike subsequently christened the vintage Arsenal team of 2003/04 ‘The Invincibles’ after completing that season without a league defeat. This only served to further the disparity between the sides, not just in terms of player confidence, but also the worldwide marketability and international brand presence of each side.
Take a look at this gallery of ‘power shifts’ seen in the Premier League era. MOST of these have, thus far, stood the test of time…
Tottenham > Arsenal (1996)
When Bruce Rioch gave way to Arsene Wenger in 1996, normal service was well and truly resumed. After a fourth-place finish in 1997, Arsenal FC would go on to win three Premier League titles without reply from Tottenham. Image Source: Reddit
Nottingham Forest > Leicester (1997)
After failing to find adequate replacement for Stan Collymore, two-time European champions Forest sank without trace in 1997 – and again in 1999 while Leicester grew as a club. Today, Leicester have a Premier League title to their name, and Forest could yet experience another relegation to the third tier. Image Source: Sporting Heroes
Wimbledon > Charlton 2000
(Old) Wimbledon FC defied the odds, time and again, by surviving in the Premier League on their own uncompromising brand of football. The Wombles’ luck ran out in 2000, and South London rivals Charlton were promoted that same year. Image Source: These Football Times
Leeds > Chelsea 2003
At the turn of the millennium, Leeds were in the Champions League and Chelsea were pretty much nowhere. With Leeds committing financial suicide in 2002 and Roman Abramovich taking over at Chelsea a year later, the two ‘spiritual’ rivals went in entirely opposite directions thereafter. Image Source: Ben Radford /Allsport
Villa > WBA (2011)
In 2008, Villa qualified for the UEFA Cup, while WBA went down in last place. Three years on, Villa’s fall from grace was well underway, and WBA finished a remarkable tenth. Today, Villa are rotting in the Championship, and WBA are set for another top half finish. Image Source: My football facts
United > City (2012)
City’s 6-1 thumping of United at Old Trafford shook the world, and it was a pivotal result for both clubs, with Sergio Aguero clinching the title in the dying seconds of the season. With Sir Alex Ferguson also now gone from the scene, Manchester is now as blue as the sky that covers it.
Image Source: Football Transfer Tavern
SEE ALSO: Tottenham may have taken four points off Arsenal in 1994/95, but we still don’t rate that side!
It appears that Tottenham, with a Champions League berth all but assured, will once more be the ‘pride of North London’ this summer. However, if Mauricio Pochettino makes the correct decisions this summer, Tottenham may even have a fighting chance of going one better.
Namely fulfilling the objective in which their neighbours have perennially failed: win the Champions League. Can they do it? Leave a comment, or see why Tottenham youngster Harry Winks will soon be a distant memory.
Start the discussion
Login to comment