What did the Arsenal and Tottenham sides look like in 1995?

St Totteringham's Day: the point in the season where Spurs can no longer finish above Arsenal. The concept was created in 2002 and first published on a Gunners' fans website, before feeding into the mainstream media by 2010.
Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the occasion at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's 2-0 victory over Arsenal, and the message was clear: while he was focused on the game in front of him, he had bigger fish to fry.

Twelve months ago, after Spurs could no longer catch Premier League leaders Leicester, two defeats to finish the season meant the North London power shift that was clearly in motion wasn't picked up in the record books.

Arsenal fans could rejoice once more in their annual celebration; for a 21st consecutive season, they could console themselves with the fact that Tottenham had finished below them in the table.

But under the guidance of Pochettino and strength of character of a young and hungry squad, Spurs have made White Hart Lane a fortress in its final season, and it was fitting that Harry Kane should score the final goal of a North London derby at the old ground.

With a popular South American in charge of a group full of talented Englishmen, a lot has changed since the last time Spurs finished above their rivals, but a lot has stayed the same.

The timeless Take That were No 1 in the charts with 'Back For Good' on April 17, 1995 - the last occasion Arsenal could not mathematically finish above Tottenham.

A week later, long before any such notion of a day preserved especially to gloat at the expense of one's neighbour, and chants of 'It's happened again', the sides faced each other at Highbury.

While the lyrics of Gary Barlow didn't serve as a premonition, Spurs fans will hope their return to superiority on the field heralds a new era of dominance over their local rivals.

Then, like now, a core of English players were instrumental, and the team began the season well with Jurgen Klinsmann scoring five goals in the first four games to earn the side nine points from the first month.

But the fortunes of a club dipped badly, with just one victory in the next eight games leading to Ossie Ardiles' dismissal.

Gerry Francis came in to replace the popular Argentine in the autumn, and by the time the two sides met for the first derby of the campaign on January 2, 1995, Spurs were favourites to overcome their rivals at White Hart Lane.

A Gheorghe Popescu strike was enough to ensure a narrow victory in front of 28,747 during a 10-game unbeaten run which moved them six points clear of Arsenal in sixth place.

By the time the two sides met for the second time nearly four months' later, the lead Francis had established over Stewart Houston's side was insurmountable.

The points were shared as Jurgen Klinsmann's strike with 16 minutes remaining cancelled out Ian Wright's penalty on the hour-mark.

The Arsenal starting line-up consisted of eight Englishmen, a Welshman, a Swede and a Dutchman, while German striker Klinsmann and Israeli forward Ronny Rosenthal were the only two overseas players in the Spurs starting XI.

Arsenal had parted company with George Graham after the Scot had failed to come close to replicating the success of a European Cup Winners' Cup and fourth-placed finish.

David Seaman, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon were mainstays of the Arsenal defence throughout the 90s, but this campaign was arguably their most forgettable as they shipped 49 goals.

Caretaker manager Houston was unable to dramatically improve results, with 17 defeats leaving the side in 12th place - their lowest league position since the 1975-76 campaign.

The 1-1 draw at Highbury played its part in denting Spurs' hopes of an unlikely UEFA Cup spot the following season, however, as two subsequent defeats and two draws left them 11 points adrift of fifth-placed Leeds United.

Few would have expected as much at the start of the campaign, with the Lilywhites having finished 15th in 1993-94, and the eventual 11-point gap on the Gunners ensured they finished comfortably above their neighbours.

The Spurs-baiting phenomenon has masked over the cracks under Arsene Wenger in recent years.

Under-achievement and missed opportunities have punctuated the first decade at the Emirates Stadium, and the end of a long-standing tradition is the latest indication of the need for change.

For some Wenger supporters, the FA Cup final appearance against Chelsea at Wembley later this month offers the Frenchman another chance of redemption.

But having enjoyed over two decades of bragging rights, Arsenal fans may well be wondering if the glory days at Tottenham Hotspur are back, for good.

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