Tottenham vs Arsenal: The stakes have never been higher for a north London derby

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Patrick Barclay4 March 2016

You would have to go back a long way to identify a north London derby as potentially significant as tomorrow’s — I say potentially because, if it finishes scoreless and Leicester proceed to win at Watford, the nation and wider world will award the day to the East Midlands — and still you might not find one.

Paul Merson reckons the FA Cup semi-finals of 1991 and 1993 top it, which is sportsmanlike because Tottenham won the first of those in a style forever associated with Gazza’s raging free-kick rather than Gary Lineker’s two ensuing goals, but the Cup is so outweighed by the Premier League these days as to make the former Arsenal forward’s contention appear almost sentimental.

From the Tottenham point of view, older fans will be anxious to regain bragging rights conceded in 1970-71, when Bertie Mee’s Arsenal clinched the title at the Lane with a late winner from Ray Kennedy (a goalless draw would have been enough) and stridently enhanced in the Arsene Wenger era by another League claimed in 2003-4. But now both sides have a chance of glory and that’s the fascination.

Moreover, it’s a chance of enduring glory. Were either to win and go on to outpace Leicester over the remaining nine matches of the campaign, it would seem the start of an era. Or restart in Arsenal’s case, for their crowning would remove doubt about Wenger’s future; should he want yet another contract, a golden pen would be placed in his hand. There might even be excitable talk of emulating Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26 years at Manchester United.

But, if Spurs succeeded, it would be a rebirth. To an extent it has already taken place. Young and youngish players have been gathered and impressively developed. Dele Alli, who might follow in Gareth Bale’s footsteps and become one of the most coveted in the world, was secured for a basic £5 million. But, when Daniel Levy and his board put Mauricio Pochettino in charge of them, the chairman did conceivably his best deal ever. If they keep improving, they will lift trophies.

They could eventually be recognised as the finest Spurs team since the Double was performed by Bill Nicholson’s incomparable collection in 1960-61. Already they are beginning to approach the level reached by Keith Burkinshaw’s 1984 side, who were title candidates under Peter Shreeves the next year, and the brilliant 4-5-1 creation of David Pleat that followed.

The problem is sustainability. When Manchester United feel they need something, they look to a smaller club from which to take it — as Real Madrid did with Bale. United, as well as Chelsea, are bound to have considered Pochettino. United have also coveted Harry Kane and there will be plenty eyeing Alli. But Spurs can at last regard themselves as a big club.

Tottenham vs Arsenal: Combined XI

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The new stadium, about the size of Arsenal’s, should be open in less than three years and, although the implications for Spurs’ transfer budget have yet to be publicly debated like Arsenal’s after the Emirates move, it remains a tasty carrot to dangle in front of Pochettino and his emergent stars.

Next season Spurs will surely be in the Champions League and if they are established as London’s leading club, it will take a lot to stop them. Stakes don’t get much higher.

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