The gap between the Premier League's two North London clubs has been closed dramatically in recent seasons.
Arsenal are still the dominant force, but many have tipped Tottenham Hotspur's summer signings, even allowing for the departure of Gareth Bale, to tilt the scales in their favour over the next few months.
The rivals have a chance tomorrow afternoon to claim some early bragging rights when they meet at the Emirates Stadium. In preparation for the clash, Sports Mole has looked back on five of the best encounters between the pair since the Emirates opened in 2006.
Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham, January 2007
This League Cup semi-final encounter was left in the balance following a 2-2 draw between the teams at White Hart Lane. It appeared that the Gunners had secured their route through to the final when Emmanuel Adebayor scored with 13 minutes remaining of the second leg, but Spurs striker Mido headed in late on to force extra time. Back came the home side, though, and a strike from French centre-forward Jeremie Aliadiere, coupled with an own goal by Pascal Chimbonda sent Arsene Wenger's team into the showpiece event.
Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, October 2008
It was a match that signalled Tottenham's intent under new manager Harry Redknapp, who took over with Spurs bottom of the table. They may not defend too well, but they would weigh in with their fair share of goals. Former Arsenal winger David Bentley opened the scoring for the away side from 40 yards out, before French defenders Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas put the hosts ahead. Adebayor made it 3-1, before Darren Bent reduced the arrears. This end-to-end encounter appeared to have been settled with two minutes remaining by Robin van Persie, who added a fourth for Arsenal. But in a dramatic section of stoppage time, Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon earned a share of the spoils for Spurs.
Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham, November 2010
Going into the clash, Spurs had not won on Arsenal's patch in 17 years. So, when Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh had put the hosts in front before the break, it appeared that Tottenham's wait was going to be extended by at least another 12 months. Nevertheless, Bale and Rafael van der Vaart levelled up proceedings by half time, before finally, after almost two decades, a glancing header from French defender Younes Kaboul in the closing stages sealed the three points for Redknapp's men.
Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham, February 2012
The pressure was on as far as Arsenal were concerned. They had just been thrashed 4-0 by AC Milan in the Champions League and had exited the FA Cup following defeat to Sunderland. To make matters worse, Spurs went 2-0 up in this clash thanks to Louis Saha and Adebayor, who had joined the Lilywhites from Manchester City. However, Bacary Sagna and Van Persie brought Arsenal level towards the end of the first half, which put the home team in the ascendancy. They took full advantage, with Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, twice, capping off the comeback after the restart.
Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham, November 2012
Snap! Just as they had done nine months earlier, Spurs were on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline. Once again they started well and went 1-0 up thanks to Adebayor, but his sending off for a high and late tackle on Santi Cazorla in the 18th minute proved decisive. Arsenal were 3-1 up at half time thanks to Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, while Cazorla and Walcott added the gloss in the second half.
Liam Apicella
