What is St Totteringham's Day? Arsenal vs Spurs Premier League position battle explained

Will Savage

What is St Totteringham's Day? Arsenal vs Spurs Premier League position battle explained image

After a few years in which the balance of power in north London shifted, Arsenal have re-established their position as the dominant side in this part of England's capital.

The Gunners finished behind fierce rivals Tottenham for six consecutive seasons before their surprise title tilt in 2022/23 saw them come second in the Premier League, well clear of Spurs down in eighth.

Arsenal have mounted a stronger bid to win the league for the first time in 20 years this season, and ahead of the latest derby meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, they were already 17 points ahead of an improving Spurs back in fifth place.

This meant that the latest derby day was also St. Totteringham's Day. If you have little or no idea what that means, then read on — particularly if you're an Arsenal fan.

MORE: Updated Premier League table for 2022/23 season

What is St. Totteringham's Day?

Finishing above Tottenham had been a formality for much of Arsenal's recent history, even reaching the point that Arsenal supporters have invented a holiday to mark the occasion.

The Gunners celebrate St. Totteringham's Day, historically in April or May. It marks the day in the league season when it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham to finish above Arsenal.

Before Tottenham vs. Arsenal on April 28, 2024, the Gunners had taken 77 points from 34 league games of the 2023/24 season. Spurs, meanwhile, were on 60 points, having played 32 matches. That meant it was still possible for Ange Postecoglou's team to finish above Arsenal, provided that they won the derby and all their other remaining games while hoping the Gunners lost theirs.

Arsenal nearly surrendered a comfortable lead, but they held on to win 3-2, meaning April 28 became St. Totteringham's Day for 2024.

MORE: How many times have Arsenal won the Premier League?

How many times have Spurs finished above Arsenal?

In the 31 seasons of the Premier League, Tottenham have finished above Arsenal on eight occasions.

Arsenal finished above Tottenham for 21 successive league campaigns, stretching from the 1995/96 season, up until the 2015/16 campaign. That streak was broken in 2016/17, when Arsenal fell out of the top four, while Tottenham finished in second.

Season Arsenal
Finish
Arsenal
Points
Spurs
Finish
Spurs
Points
1992-93 10th 56 8th 59
1993-94 4th 71 15th 45
1994-95 12th 51 7th 62
1995-96 5th 63 8th 61
1996-97 3rd 68 10th 46
1997-98 1st 78 14th 44
1998-99 2nd 78 11th 49
1999-00 2nd 73 10th 53
2000-01 2nd 70 12th 49
2001-02 1st 87 9th 50
2002-03 2nd 78 10th 50
2003-04 1st 90 14th 45
2004-05 2nd 83 9th 52
2005-06 4th 67 5th 65
2006-07 4th 68 5th 60
2007-08 3rd 83 11th 46
2008-09 4th 72 8th 51
2009-10 3rd 75 4th 70
2010-11 4th 68 5th 62
2011-12 3rd 70 4th 69
2012-13 4th 73 5th 72
2013-14 4th 79 6th 69
2014-15 3rd 75 5th 64
2015-16 2nd 71 3rd 70
2016-17 5th 75 2nd 86
2017/18 6th 63 3rd 77
2018/19 5th 70 4th 71
2019/20 8th 56 6th 59
2020/21 8th 61 7th 62
2021/22 5th 69 4th 71
2022/23 2nd 84 8th 60

What is the Arsenal vs Spurs head to head record?

Arsenal and Spurs have faced off on 64 occasions in league play during the Premier League era. Arsenal have won 25 of those games, and Spurs have won 15, with 24 draws.

The Gunners claimed both head-to-head matches in 2022/23, winning 3-1 in October 2022 and 2-0 on January 15, 2023. The first meeting of 2023/24 at Emirates Stadium ended in a 2-2 draw, and the return fixture saw Arsenal win 3-2.

The most memorable of those direct matchups might be when Arsenal clinched their last title and celebrated on Spurs' home ground.

The unbeaten Invincibles side travelled to White Hart Lane in April 2004, needing just a point to secure the league title. They went 2-0 up with goals from Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, before Spurs fought back through Jamie Redknapp and a late Robbie Keane equaliser. But the 2-2 draw left the Gunners supporters in jubilation.

When Arsenal visited Tottenham the following 2004/05 season (November 2004), the match again produced a memorable result.

Spurs started much the better side, taking the lead through Noureddine Naybet. Thierry Henry grabbed a goal for Arsenal, and they were improved after the break, which saw a ding-dong affair.

Lauren fired Arsenal into the lead from the spot, before the teams exchanged goals. Jermain Defoe and Ledley King for the hosts, Vieira and Freddie Ljungberg for the visitors. Pires looked to have the game safe, but a late goal from Freddie Kanoute meant it was a nervy finish for Arsenal. They saw out the win and the game ended 5-4, the highest scoring North London Derby to date.

The league match in October 2008 at Emirates Stadium came close to matching that result, finishing just one goal short.

The Gunners went behind early on a goal by former Arsenal player David Bentley. They hit back, and were 2-1 up after an hour. Emmanuel Adebayor scored Arsenal's third on 64 minutes, before Spurs' Darren Bent made it 3-2 a couple of minutes later. Two minutes after that, Arsenal scored again, Robin van Persie stretching the lead to 4-2. The hosts looked to see out the lead, but goals from Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon at the death brought it back level for a 4-4 final.

Further evidence that North London derbies often produce goalfests: in 2012, Arsenal hosted Tottenham twice, first in February, and then again in October. They put 10 goals past their rivals in the calendar year, as both matches finished 5-2 to Arsenal, with the Gunners recovering from 2-0 down in the first game.

Will Savage