For the first time since 1995, Tottenham will finish above Arsenal in the Premier League. So is it a one-off or has the balance of power shifted?
#Tottenham Hotspur provided a final #North London Derby memory for their fans at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
In their penultimate match at the ground before moving temporarily to Wembley for next season, they beat great rivals #Arsenal 2-0 with second half goals from Dele Alli and Harry Kane.
It means for the first time in 22 years, Spurs will finish above Arsenal in the Premier League.
They've threatened for many years to finish above their rivals in the capital. Now, they've achieved it. Has the power well and truly shifted?
Spurs began that campaign with playing legend Ossie Ardiles in charge but his swashbuckling attacking style left them exposed with a leaky defence. He was sacked in November 1994. Gerry Francis left QPR to take the position and guided the Lilywhites' to seventh spot. Jurgen Klinsmann scored a glut of goals and won the Football Writers' Award before returning to Germany after just one season.
Arsenal had a miserable campaign. George Graham was sacked in February and banned from football for a year after his involvement in dodgy transfer dealings. The Gunners' finished in 12th position and with a caretaker manager. They did reach a European final but were beaten by Real Zaragoza thanks to an extra-time winner from Nayim - ironically a former Tottenham player.
. To indicate the time, here are some unknown facts about 1995;
Which Arsenal players would break into the Tottenham team? Alexis Sanchez is the only one who probably would make it into the side, instead of Heung-Min Son. Kane is more clinical than Olivier Giroud, Christan Eriksen offers lots more in attack than Mesut Ozil. Victor Wanyama is an upgrade on Granit Xhaka and there probably isn't a better central defensive partnership in the league than Tottenham's Belgian duo of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
They have all the ingredients now to become a high-class side. The team is young, hungry and they have one of Europe's top managers in Mauricio Pochettino. Previously, Spurs have had to sell their best assets like Gareth Bale and Luka Modric. They might be lacking silverware and need to improve performances in European competition but domestically, they've been a joy to watch this season.
On this evidence, it will take something for Arsenal to turn the momentum around.
A crucial summer awaits. The manager's future is in doubt and so are the futures of star players Sanchez and Ozil. Both are expected to leave. The general squad needs a reshape too. Whilst they offered great potential, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have not produced enough on a regular basis. Xhaka has been a poor signing and Gunners' supporters simply don't get excited by the likes of Francis Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs.
There needs to be significant investment in the squad this summer to get back in the mix, regardless of what Arsene Wenger does. That means not just in the Premier League but becoming a prominent club in Europe too. Arsenal's last-16 UCL exit has become one of the last common themes of Winter.
It is probably too early to say the power in North London has truly shifted but on current evidence, Tottenham are going places and Arsenal are being left trailing in their rivals' wake.
It means for the first time in 22 years, Spurs will finish above Arsenal in the Premier League.
They've threatened for many years to finish above their rivals in the capital. Now, they've achieved it. Has the power well and truly shifted?
Flashback to 1995
The last time Tottenham finished above Arsenal in the table was 1995. In that season, both teams changed their manager.Spurs began that campaign with playing legend Ossie Ardiles in charge but his swashbuckling attacking style left them exposed with a leaky defence. He was sacked in November 1994. Gerry Francis left QPR to take the position and guided the Lilywhites' to seventh spot. Jurgen Klinsmann scored a glut of goals and won the Football Writers' Award before returning to Germany after just one season.
Arsenal had a miserable campaign. George Graham was sacked in February and banned from football for a year after his involvement in dodgy transfer dealings. The Gunners' finished in 12th position and with a caretaker manager. They did reach a European final but were beaten by Real Zaragoza thanks to an extra-time winner from Nayim - ironically a former Tottenham player.
. To indicate the time, here are some unknown facts about 1995;
- The number of registered websites on the planet was just 23,500
- 570 different singles have been number one in the music charts since May 1995.
- The average price of a pint of beer was £1.60.
- Arsenal's Hector Bellerin was only two months old in May 1995.
- Chelsea have had 16 managers since 1995, including caretakers.
- American coffee chain Starbucks didn't have any stores in London.
- There were only four free-to-air channels available: BBC One, BBC Two, ITV and Channel 4.
- Tiger Woods hadn't even taken up professional golf.
More power
Fast-forward to 2017 and when you put the two squads up against one another, Arsenal might have more options but Tottenham have better players. If you compare the regular starting XI of both sides, the conclusion is that Tottenham have more clinical finishers, more leaders, more power and on this season's evidence, more passion for the shirt..Which Arsenal players would break into the Tottenham team? Alexis Sanchez is the only one who probably would make it into the side, instead of Heung-Min Son. Kane is more clinical than Olivier Giroud, Christan Eriksen offers lots more in attack than Mesut Ozil. Victor Wanyama is an upgrade on Granit Xhaka and there probably isn't a better central defensive partnership in the league than Tottenham's Belgian duo of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
They have all the ingredients now to become a high-class side. The team is young, hungry and they have one of Europe's top managers in Mauricio Pochettino. Previously, Spurs have had to sell their best assets like Gareth Bale and Luka Modric. They might be lacking silverware and need to improve performances in European competition but domestically, they've been a joy to watch this season.
On this evidence, it will take something for Arsenal to turn the momentum around.
Crucial summer
Before the game, there had been flickers of an Arsenal revival. They've reached the FA Cup final and dugout victories over Middlesbrough and Leicester City. On Sunday though, they were found out once again, failing to pass another test against an elite Premier League side. Against Liverpool FC, Spurs, Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs, Arsenal have collected a tally of six points from a possible 27 with the return fixture still to play against Manchester United. That return is simply not good enough if you want to finish in the top four.A crucial summer awaits. The manager's future is in doubt and so are the futures of star players Sanchez and Ozil. Both are expected to leave. The general squad needs a reshape too. Whilst they offered great potential, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have not produced enough on a regular basis. Xhaka has been a poor signing and Gunners' supporters simply don't get excited by the likes of Francis Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs.
There needs to be significant investment in the squad this summer to get back in the mix, regardless of what Arsene Wenger does. That means not just in the Premier League but becoming a prominent club in Europe too. Arsenal's last-16 UCL exit has become one of the last common themes of Winter.
It is probably too early to say the power in North London has truly shifted but on current evidence, Tottenham are going places and Arsenal are being left trailing in their rivals' wake.
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