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Ranking the Last 18 St Totteringham's Days
April 28, 2014Ranking the Last 18 St Totteringham's Days
Arsenal have finished above Tottenham for the last 18 years in a row. Among Gunners fans, the day when Arsenal are certain of finishing ahead of their rivals is known as "St. Totteringham's Day."
Some St. Totteringham's Days are remembered because they have a certain statistical significance. Some have been extremely dramatic occasions. Others are fondly recalled simply because they were very, very funny.
Read on to enjoy the countdown of some of the most enjoyable days in Arsenal's recent history.
18. 1998/99
Although Arsenal did not win a trophy in this season, they were still able to celebrate St. Totteringham's Day.
Arsenal knew after just 32 games that Spurs had no chance of catching them.
It wasn't the most memorable of St. Totteringham's Days, but it still brought a smile to the faces of the Arsenal fans.
17. 2010/11
Although Arsenal won only two of their final five Premier League games, they were still sure of finishing ahead of Spurs three fixtures from the end.
However, by the campaign's termination, Spurs had crept to within six points of Arsenal.
All St. Totteringham's Days are glorious, but this was a little less glorious than some others.
16. 1996/97
Arsene Wenger took over during 1996/97, and led Arsenal to a third-placed finish.
Arsenal were sure of finishing above Spurs after 33 games, with their north London rivals eventually finishing in 10th position.
This season announced Wenger's superiority over Tottenham, and established what would swiftly become a pattern. He has never once finished below them.
15. 1999/2000
Arsenal's first St. Totteringham's Day of the new millennium arrived on 16 April 2000.
Arsenal won 4-0 at Leeds United to guarantee superiority over their neighbours. This day showed that although it was new millennium, the same old hierarchy existed in North London.
14. 2008/09
On April 11 2009, Arsenal beat Wigan 4-1 to mark St. Totteringham's Day. As if to emphasise Arsenal's superiority, even the maligned Mikael Silvestre got on the score-sheet!
As if finishing below Arsenal didn't hurt Spurs enough, the fact they did so in a year where Arsenal fielded the calamitous Silvestre will have exacerbated their pain.
13. 2004/05
The first few years of the Millennium brought some very early St. Totteringham's Days.
In this season, the landmark was achieved in considerable style. In 2005, Arsenal beat Norwich City 4-1 on April 2, thanks largely to a Thierry Henry hat-trick, to put themselves out of reach.
12. 2002/03
In 2002/03, it took Arsenal just 31 games to make sure Spurs couldn't catch them.
However, it wasn't just with speed with which St. Totteringham's Day was secured that made this a good year. It was also the gulf that existed between the two teams by the end of the campaign. Ultimately, Spurs finished 10th, with Arsenal in second.
11. 2009/10
10. 2006/07
This season was particularly poignant as Arsenal were able to secure St. Totteringham's Day at White Hart Lane.
Despite a late equaliser from Jermaine Jenas, a 2-2 draw was enough for the Gunners to make certain of finishing ahead of their despised rivals.
9. 2000/01
2001's St. Totteringham's Day arrived one day and one fixture later than 2000's. It was made significant by the fact that Sol Campbell switched sides to help Arsenal keep their rivals at heel.
Spurs were the masters of their own undoing this time, losing 3-0 to Chelsea to leave Arsenal out of reach.
8. 2007/08
2007/08 saw the earliest ever date for St. Totteringham's Day: March 9.
Arsenal have achieved the feat in fewer games, but never at an earlier point in a calendar year.
7. 1995/96
In 1994/95, there was no St. Totteringham's Day. Arsenal put that right in Bruce Rioch's first and only season in charge.
The landmark arrived in dramatic circumstances, with Arsenal coming from behind to beat Bolton on the final day. The win ensured fifth place, UEFA Cup qualification, and finishing above Spurs.
6. 1997/98
Not only was this a historic double-winning season for Arsenal. It also marked the earliest St. Totteringham's Day since 1959.
Arsenal were sure of finishing above Spurs as early as 28 March, after a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Dennis Bergkamp augmented his legend with the goal.
5. 2001/02
When Arsenal made sure they would finish above Spurs on 18 March 2002, it became the earliest St. Totteringham’s day in history.
Previously the record had been held by the 1934/35 season, when Arsenal were champions and Tottenham were relegated!
4. 2012/13
2012/13's St. Totteringham's Day surpassed 2011/12's as the latest in history.
Once again, the race went to the final day of the season. A 1-0 win at Newcastle was enough to secure the crucial Champions League spot.
The day was made particularly amusing by Tottenham fans' misguided belief that Newcastle had equalised, sparking premature celebrations at White Hart Lane.
3. 2011/12
Arsenal's win at West Brom secured what was, at the time, the latest St. Totteringham's Day in history.
The result sparked wild celebrations, with the players tossing the retiring assistant manager Pat Rice in the air. Spurs fans had taunted the Gunners with cries of "Mind the gap" earlier in the season. Such hubristic claims came back to haunt them.
Seeing Tottenham fall at the final hurdle is always fun for Arsenal fans.
2. 2003/04
Arsenal's "Invincibles" season marked the lowest number of games ever required to arrive at St. Totteringham's Day.
Unbeaten Arsenal knew after just 28 games that they would finish above Spurs, and they rubbed salt in to the wound by later securing the league title at White Hart Lane.
1. 2005/06
Arsenal's final day at Highbury also saw a very dramatic St. Totteringham's Day. Arsenal beat Wigan with Thierry Henry scoring a hat-trick, whilst a Tottenham team reportedly struck down by a dodgy lasagne lost at West Ham.
Arsenal secured fourth place, and they celebrated in style.
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What was your favourite St. Totteringham's Day? Let us know below.