A number of Arsenal icons have now reflected upon the Gunners’ triumphant 2004 encounter with Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal became Premier League champions in 2004 by virtue of a 2-2 draw against their bitter local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
On that day, the Gunners needed just a point at White Hart Lane to confirm their Premier League title triumph. Arsene Wenger’s side got the job done and went on to complete the top flight campaign without having lost a single match throughout, immortalising themselves at the Invincibles.
This Sunday, Arsenal are on the road against their North London rivals again. On this occasion, Mikel Arteta’s men can’t win the league at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but they can take a step closer towards doing.
If Arsenal win all four of their remaining games this season, and Manchester City slip up in any of their final six matches, then the Gunners will almost certainly be crowned champions for the first time since that halcyon day twenty years ago.
Of course, Spurs will be determined to stop their neighbours from triumphing in this manner at all costs. Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has warned that Tottenham will be desperate to “spoil the party.”
Arsenal must heed the warning offered by Liverpool’s recent defeat against Everton as an example of how local derby clashes can be unpredictable and prove costly for title-chasing sides.
Twenty years ago, though, Tottenham failed to rain on the Arsenal parade. Many of the club legends who took part in that triumph have now reflected upon that day of glory in enemy territory.
Arsenal legends recall 2004 Premier League title win v Tottenham
As quoted by the club’s official website, all-time Arsenal leading goalscorer Thierry Henry said “Tottenham fans liked to talk. When I was walking in the street, they would say: ‘watch out, we’re coming for you!” like I was supposed to be scared. It was just weird. I’ve never understood why it’s always the small dog that barks the most.”
Current Arsenal sporting director Edu then added “We knew we could win the league there, but funnily enough, we were only concentrating on performing well, and playing the way we wanted to play. Sometimes when you go into a derby, there is a lot of emotion…But we were really, really focused on performing well, and it worked.”
Then-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira stated “We were thinking that if we had the chance to play for the title at White Hart Lane, then we saw it as a destiny. There can be no better sweetness! So it was a chance that we had to take. “
After Arsenal got the job done, the celebrations were rapturous. Winger Robert Pires remembers “That was one of the best moments in my career, without doubt. At that moment, at the final whistle, we were champions!…the icing on the cake was to win it at White Hart Lane.”
Henry said “That day will stay in our history forever. It’s a great day, it’s a great story.”
What Arsenal must do against Spurs on Sunday
The current Arsenal squad are now trying to tell a great story of their own, and they will be determined to write another triumphant chapter this weekend.
Arteta needs his big players to step up to the plate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kai Havertz has previously been dubbed a big game player, whilst club captain Martin Odegaard has been the most creative player in Europe this season. Both will be expected to hurt Spurs.
At the other end of the pitch, William Saliba and Gabriel have been called the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League this season. They must show why they are worthy of that billing. Meanwhile, there could be no better occasion for David Raya to claim the Golden Glove award with yet another clean sheet.