Tottenham 8-8 Arsenal: 16 players have seen red in North London Derby history
Tottenham and Arsenal go head to head this weekend in what feels like a one-sided fixture at this point, but there is one area in which the scores are level: red cards.
With Arsenal going for the title and Spurs looking to avoid relegation, it would seem fairly obvious that the Gunners will come away with a win in the North London Derby this weekend.
However, anything can happen in these games. Igor Tudor has his plan to get the better of Arsenal, and the players would love nothing more than to derail their rivals’ title charge.
One thing they’ll have to do, though, is keep cool heads – unlike the following 16 players who have been sent off in the North London Derby previously during the Premier League era.
Tottenham players sent off in North London Derby
Emerson Royal – 2022
A topsy-turvy game at the Emirates was delicately poised on the hour mark. Thomas Partey had given the Gunners the lead, before Harry Kane levelled from the spot. Gabriel Jesus pushed Arsenal back in front after 49 minutes and then Emerson Royal saw red on 62 minutes for a rash and reckless challenge. Five minutes later, Arsenal extended their lead through Granit Xhaka and Spurs had no hope of getting back in the game.
Erik Lamela – 2021
Thankfully, Erik Lamela will mostly be remembered for his Puskas-winning Rabona goal against Arsenal in this fixture. However, the fiery Argentinian was also shown a red card that spoiled the day a little bit. The Gunners were already winning 2-1 by that point, and held onto their lead until the death.
Jan Vertonghen – 2018
Tottenham were well and truly battered by Arsenal at the start of December in 2018, coming out on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline. Despite falling behind after ten minutes, Spurs did go in at half-time ahead thanks to goals from Eric Dier and Harry Kane. However, a second-half collapse included three goals for Arsenal and two yellow cards for Jan Vertonghen.
Emmanuel Adebayor – 2012
We’re going back more than a decade here, but it was still a torrid day out away from home for Spurs, with Arsenal winning 5-2 here. Emmanuel Adebayor had given Tottenham the lead after just ten minutes, but he saw red against his former side just eight minutes later.
Scott Parker – 2012
Incredibly, Tottenham lost 5-2 to Arsenal twice in 2012. Again, Spurs had the lead early on thanks to a Louis Saha goal. Adebayor doubled the advantage just after the half-hour mark, but everything fell apart from there. Two quickfire Arsenal goals levelled the score before half-time. By the 68th minute, Arsenal were 5-2 up, and then Scott Parker got sent off with just minutes to go to compound a miserable afternoon.
Edgar Davids – 2006
Spurs played out a 1-1 draw away at Arsenal 20 years ago, but it could have all been a lot better. Robbie Keane had given the Lilywhites the lead after 66 minutes, but a disastrous final ten saw Edgar Davids sent off and Thierry Henry level the scores for Arsenal.
Simon Davies – 2002
Tottenham were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Highbury back in 2002, with goals from Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, and Sylvain Wiltord doing the damage. Simon Davies didn’t help matters, though, picking up two yellow cards and getting his marching orders.
Justin Edinburgh – 1997
A pretty dull 0-0 draw was played out between the two teams way back in 1997. In fact, the most interesting thing to happen was two bookings for the late Justin Edinburgh. That happened for two silly challenges at the end of the first-half, but Spurs held on for a point.
Arsenal players sent off vs Spurs
It’s not just Spurs players who see red in this fixture, though. There have been just as many Arsenal players sent off in North London Derbies during the Premier League era.
Rob Holding – 2022
Rob Holding was sent off during a comfortable 3-0 win for Spurs. That win helped Antonio Conte’s men clinch Champions League qualification, and we may have to thank Holding for that one. He was sent off after just 33 minutes, with Tottenham only a goal up at that point.
Lucas Torreira – 2019
A 1-1 draw back in 2019 was actually not impacted by this red card at all. Harry Kane had cancelled out Aaron Ramsey’s early goal, and then Torreira was sent off in the fifth minute of injury time, with the game already just about done.
Francis Coquelin – 2016
However, it’s safe to say this red card changed the complexion of the tie. Spurs were losing 1-0 here, but when Francis Coquelin was sent off, Tottenham saw their way back into the game. A quickfire double, with goals from Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead, but Alexis Sanchez levelled up with 15 minutes to go.
Emmanuel Eboue – 2009
Arsenal certainly do seem to survive these red cards a lot more than Spurs do. This game ended 0-0 despite Eboue’s sending off, despite the fact that he was sent off after 37 minutes. How Tottenham weren’t able to capitalise on that, especially at home, is anyone’s guess.
Gilles Grimandi – 2000
Arsenal actually won this game 2-1, although to be fair, they were already in front by the time Gilles Grimandi saw red in the 85th minute. Chris Armstrong opened the scoring for Arsenal with an own goal, but then scored at the right end to level things up. However, a Thierry Henry penalty on the stroke of half-time was enough to secure three points for the Gunners.
Martin Keown – 1999
It would seem Tottenham need TWO Arsenal red cards before they can truly take advantage and get a win. Martin Keown was sent off in the 90th minute at White Hart Lane here, while goals from Steffen Iversen and Tim Sherwood were enough to seal a 2-1 win for Tottenham.
Freddie Ljungberg – 1999
Patrick Vieira had given Arsenal a glimmer of hope in that game with a goal in the 39th minute. The Gunners probably came out in the second half eager to take the game to Spurs, but Freddie Ljungberg ruined it all by getting sent off less than ten minutes after the interval.
Stefan Schwarz – 1995
The first red card in this fixture during the Premier League era came back in 1995, and it was Stefan Schwarz of Arsenal who got the ball rolling. Tottenham already had control of the game thanks to a Gheorghe Popescu goal, but Schwarz condemned the Gunners with a red card in the 86th minute.
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