History

20. Spurs beaten on their first visit

Arsenal 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur - 1921

Arsenal and Tottenham meet for the first time at Highbury 22 January 1921

Arsenal’s first match against Tottenham at Highbury did not take place until January 22, 1921, despite Arsenal having moved to the ground eight years previously.

Arsenal won the match 3-2 with two goals from Rutherford and another from White.

The rivalry between Arsenal and Spurs dates back to the Gunners' early years at their North London home.

Understandably, Arsenal's decision to move from their Woolwich base into Spurs heartland sparked a natural rivalry, but other events reinforced this.

When the league was abandoned in 1915 due to the First World War, Arsenal had finished fifth in the old Second Division while Spurs had ended their campaign at the bottom of the old First Division.

After the war, there were plans to expand the First Division from 20 to 22 clubs. Normal procedure was to re-elect the teams which finished bottom the previous season and promote the top two clubs from the Second Division.

Despite finishing fifth in the Second Division, Arsenal owner Sir Henry Norris successfully negotiated a place back in the top flight at the expense of Spurs among other clubs.

Spurs didn't have to wait long to return to the First Division. They were promoted the following year and soon met Arsenal for the first time at Highbury.

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