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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Arsenal
Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 9 4 3 2 9 - 8 15
Away 9 1 5 3 7 -10 8
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Total(Prem) 18 5 8 5 16 -18 23
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 55 24 12 19 93 -83 63
Away(Div 1) 55 16 12 27 65 -85 46
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Total(Div 1)110 40 24 46 158 -168 109
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Total(Prem) 18 5 8 5 16 -18 23
Total(Div 1)110 40 24 46 158 -168 109
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Grand Total 128 45 32 51 174 -186 132
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Never in the history of this fixture has it been awaited so eagerly by the
Lilywhite and Blue element in North London. Since one former player
crossed the divide of North London, never has thirty pieces of silver had
so much effect on the populace since the days of one Judas Iscariot, of
whom at least it can be said he did not sign up for Sega or Dreamcast. The
Minute of Contempt will forcibly demonstrate to all players who wear the
Lilywhite and Blue colours of Tottenham just what we expect of them. Other
Spurs players have crossed the divide without arousing our ire but this
was treachery of the highest kind. I wish I could be there to share in the
Minute of Contempt!
Of all the Spurs -v- Arsenal fixtures we have played, four stand out for
their importance. Two can be dismissed instantly as I do not want to
remember either Ray Kennedy or the Donkey scoring vital goals for the
opposition. But we can salute the memory of Gazza's free-kick and
Lineker's big toe scoring two vital goals ten years ago. The other one is
still too painful to recollect being considerably more recent. That was
also the last appearance of the traitor in our colours.
The first time I saw Spurs play Arsenal was on October 12th 1957. Harmer
the Charmer was the star player as Medwin scored twice and Smith once with
Cliff Holton scoring for the Gooners. Ted Ditchburn had been recalled to
the side following an awful 4-3 defeat by Nottingham Forest the previous
Saturday. Eddie Baily had re-appeared on his old stamping grounds and had
led Forest to a shattering win courtesy of some Ron Reynolds' blunders.
I next saw Spurs play Arsenal on 26th August 1961, having missed the
intervening games through illness. Terry Dyson scored a hat-trick for us
with Les Allen scoring the fourth whilst Mel Charles scored twice for
Arsenal and Skirton once.
A year later, on 6th October 1962, Spurs drew 4-4. Jones scored twice,
with Mackay and White scoring one apiece with David Court scoring twice
for Arsenal, MacLeod and Strong one each.
But the game which gave us the biggest surprise of the lot was on 22nd
February 1964. Smith was on his way out at Tottenham and Les Allen had
lost confidence. On the eve of the match, Bill Nicholson sensationally
spent £40,000 on Arsenal reserve defender Laurie Brown and played him at
centre forward in place of Bobby Smith. Cliff Jones scored twice with
Greaves scoring a penalty whilst Strong scored the only goal for Arsenal.
The following season, on 10th October 1964, Pat Jennings and Cyril Knowles
made their first appearances in this fixture. Robertson, Greaves and Saul
scored for Spurs with Joe Baker scoring for Arsenal.
Spurs were lucky to snatch a draw on 11th September 1965 when they drew
2-2. Laurie Brown conceded an 11th minute own goal, Joe Baker increased
their lead in the 22nd minute. Saul reduced the arrears ten minutes before
half-time and Gilzean equalised with fifteen minutes of the end of the match.
This was the match in which Roy Low replaced Derek Possee to become the
first substitute used by Tottenham.
A year later, on 3rd September 1966, Spurs beat Arsenal 3-1. This was the
first fixture Mike England played in for Spurs v Arsenal games. Greaves
scored twice and Cliff Jones one whilst Sammels scored once for Arsenal.
Unusually for Arsenal, they had temporarily abandoned their red and white
shirts and were playing in all red shirts.
The next home game in this series wasn't until 20th January 1968. By now
there were two future Spurs managers playing for Arsenal and one playing
for Tottenham in the form of Terry Neill, George Graham and Terry
Venables. Pat Rice was substitute for Arsenal that day and replaced David
Jenkins. Gilzean scored the only goal of the match with half an hour to
play.
The first game of the 1968-69 season saw Spurs temporary superiority over
Arsenal checked. Spurs had been unbeaten in pre-season matches and played
like World Champions for twenty minutes before Phil Beal unfortunately
conceded an own goal. Radford added a second before Greaves snatched a
consolation goal late in the match. This was the match in which Jimmy
Pearce made his debut. Pearce was very unlucky with injuries as he had a
very promising future in the game and was forced out of the game into
premature retirement after only two seasons or so.
Spurs did not meet Arsenal again at Tottenham until 2nd May 1970 when it
was the final game of the season. There was nothing at stake and Gilzean
scored the only goal of the match in what was described as a very tepid
affair.
And so to Saturday's match. Arsenal are clearly distracted by the
Champions League as they have not yet imposed themselves in the League.
Their defensive problems have been analysed repeatedly on the back pages.
Manchester United must be grateful they did not sign our former player as
his performances have not matched up to the promise he once held. Some of
Arsenal's players are coming to the end of their career and others have
yet to stamp their authority on the team. Spurs have been playing
confidently at Tottenham so this is a gilt-edged chance for us to
demonstrate just how good we can be!
I think it will be a close game and that it will end in a draw but not
before we have given them an awful fright!
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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