Top 15 North London Derby Moments

Rivalries are at the very heart of football. If any proof is needed, take Arsenal-Tottenham Hotspur as Exhibit A.

When these two sides go head to head, positions in the standings go out the window—as does current form. They have been going at it since 1887 and are as hostile towards the idea of the other's existence now as they were 127 years ago.

Maybe more so.

The north London derby is proof that the biggest and best rivalries in football mean more to the fans and supporters than players and club officials.

After all, it's not the centre-forward who has to encounter his opponent on Monday morning and over a lifetime.

Following are 15 of the most memorable moments in the derby's history.

15. Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham, 2012

Emmanuel Adebayor was at the centre of everything when Tottenham travelled to Arsenal in November 2012.

After just 10 minutes, the former Arsenal striker had Spurs in front after converting the rebound from Jermain Defoe's shot, but less than seven minutes later he was ejected—the result of a high, late tackle on Santi Cazorla.

The Gunners were back on level terms shortly thereafter and went back down the tunnel at half-time with a 3-1 lead. They completed the 5-2 romp when Theo Walcott scored in second-half stoppage time.

14. Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal, 2011

Tottenham's 2-1 win at home to Arsenal in October 2011 is memorable for the way it ended—with a Kyle Walker screamer from distance that beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Earlier in the match Rafael van der Vaart put Spurs ahead with the 10,000th goal in club history, while Aaron Ramsey temporarily restored level terms in the 51st minute.

13. Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham, 2006

Thierry Henry denied Tottenham a rare win at Highbury when he came on to score a late equaliser in April 2006.

Spurs had dominated much of the encounter and shortly after the hour mark took a well-deserved lead when Edgar Davids set up Robbie Keane for the opener.

But Gunners manager Arsene Wenger was furious that the build-up to the goal had been allowed to continue while one of his players lay injured in the centre circle, and after the match he refused to shake counterpart Martin Jol's hand.

12. Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham, 2002

Thierry Henry delivered one of the most iconic moments in Arsenal history when he opened the scoring against Tottenham in November 2002.

Running on to Patrick Vieira's headed clearance in the defensive third, he swerved his way downfield before beating Kasey Keller with an exquisite finish. Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord also found the back of the net as the Gunners went on to win 3-0.

11. Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham, 2014

Last January, Arsenal and Tottenham went head-to-head in a rare FA Cup version of the north London derby.

Santi Cazorla opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour mark, and in the 62nd minute Tomas Rosicky provided a measure of insurance.

But the match is mostly remembered for Theo Walcott's exit through injury with 19 minutes to play. As he was carried off on a stretcher and pelted with coins by the travelling fans, the Arsenal winger displayed the 2-0 scoreline on his hands.

10. Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham, 2009

Cesc Fabregas' most famous goal in an Arsenal shirt came in October 2009, when his solo effort gave the Gunners a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

Play had only just resumed following Robin van Persie's opener, and with the Spurs players perhaps expecting an uneventful three minutes before going back down the tunnel, they allowed Fabregas to dribble downfield and double the hosts' advantage.

"Giving Fabregas the ball from the kick-off was Sunday morning football," Spurs manager Harry Redknapp later told the BBC.

9. Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal, 2010

If making one's debut in the north London derby isn't enough, surely winning the match is nothing less than a dream.

But what about actually scoring a goal? It's a fantasy Danny Rose lived in 2010, when just 10 minutes into his first match for Spurs, he released a 30-yard thunderbolt that beat Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Gareth Bale would pot the winner in the 47th minute.

8. Tottenham 5-1 Arsenal, 2008

Tottenham went into the 2008 League Cup semi-finals having failed to beat Arsenal in nine years.

They quite nearly ended the drought in the first leg of the tie at Emirates Stadium, but following the 1-1 draw, they came out guns blazing in the return fixture at White Hart Lane.

Jermaine Jenas opened the scoring after just three minutes, and shortly before the half-hour mark Nicklas Bendtner headed the ball into his own net. Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon and Steed Malbranque also scored as Spurs romped to a 5-1 win.

7. Arsenal 3-3 Tottenham, 2011

Rafael van der Vaart continued his string of excellent north London derby performances when he cancelled out Theo Walcott's opener after just seven minutes in April 2011.

Five minutes later Arsenal were back in front thanks to Samir Nasri, and shortly before the break, they took a two-goal advantage when Robin van Persie found the back of the net.

But Tom Huddlestone pulled one back for Spurs just before the interval, setting up a mouth-watering second half. With 20 minutes remaining Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny fouled Aaron Lennon, sending Van der Vaart to the spot to convert the final equaliser of the match.

6. Tottenham 0-5 Arsenal, 1978

Arsenal got their festive period off to an ideal start in 1978 when they trounced Tottenham 5-0 at White Hart Lane.

Alan Sunderland scored a hat-trick, but the encounter remains best remembered for Liam Brady's wonder goal that swerved past Spurs goalkeeper Mark Kendall.

"Look at that! Oh, look at that," exclaimed commentator John Motson as he watched it go in, as per Arsenal.com.

5. Arsenal 4-4 Tottenham, 2008

One of the overall great matches in north London derby history was played in October 2008, when Tottenham scored a pair of late goals to earn a 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Former Arsenal midfielder David Bentley opened the scoring with a spectacular, 40-yard goal in the 13th minute, but Mikael Silvestre restored level terms before the break.

William Gallas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie then spotted the hosts a 3-1 lead, but Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon struck late to ensure a splitting of the points.

4. Tottenham 4-5 Arsenal, 2004

In November 2004, Tottenham and Arsenal engaged in a back-and-forth affair that ended up 5-4 in Arsenal's favour.

Noureddine Naybet's volley opened the scoring for Spurs in the 37th minute, but Thierry Henry answered on the stroke of half-time before Lauren put the Gunners ahead from the spot 10 minutes after the restart.

Then it was Patrick Vieira and Jermain Defoe exchanging goals in less than a minute before Freddie Ljungberg scored in the 69th, and with nine minutes remaining Robert Pires struck what would prove to be the winner.

Freddie Kanoute pulled one back for the hosts in the 88th.

3. Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham, 2010

Tottenham earned their first win away to Arsenal in 17 years when Younes Kaboul headed Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick into the back of the net with five minutes remaining at the Emirates Stadium.

Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh had given the hosts a 2-0 lead, but Gareth Bale pulled one back for Spurs in the 50th minute and Van der Vaart equalised from the spot in the 67th.

2. Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal, 1991

One of Tottenham's most memorable moments also happens to be one of Paul Gascoigne's most memorable.

In the first FA Cup semi-final to be contested at Wembley, Gazza beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman with a free-kick after just five minutes, and Gary Lineker added a brace as Spurs went on to win 3-1 before beating Nottingham Forest in the final.

1. Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal, 2004

A single point was all Arsenal required to clinch the 2003-04 Premier League title, and they got it at the home of their arch-rivals.

Only three minutes had ticked off the clock at White Hart Lane when Patrick Vieira spotted the Gunners the early lead, and the midfielder then turned provider for Robert Pires, who scored what proved to be the title-winning goal.

Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Keane answered with tallies for Tottenham, but the draw ensured Arsenal's famous "Invincibles" would lift the trophy.