Arsenal and Tottenham are two of the fiercest rivals in English football, and their rivalry runs deep. However, despite the intense competition and animosity between the two North London clubs, there are surprising similarities in their recent fortunes. Although both sides have enjoyed brief moments of success and glory, neither has been able to break through into the truly elite ranks of English and European football over the past 15 years or so.
The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham is legendary, and yet, when examining their performances and progress over the past decade and a half, it’s clear that both clubs have struggled with a similar problem: being on the cusp of greatness but never quite making that final leap. Arsenal and Tottenham have both had close calls with silverware in recent years. Arsenal, for instance, finished second in the Premier League on two occasions, coming agonizingly close to lifting the title. Tottenham, meanwhile, reached the final of the UEFA Champions League not long ago, only to fall short against Liverpool.
On The Lineup podcast, former Premier League star Dimitar Berbatov weighed in on Arsenal’s inability to secure major trophies in recent years, drawing a parallel between the Gunners and Spurs. Berbatov pointed out that the struggles of both clubs share common threads, particularly their inability to consistently seize the big moments when it matters most.
He said, “Arsenal’s problems are very similar to Tottenham’s. They’ve been on the verge of success but haven’t been able to cross that final hurdle.” According to Berbatov, Arsenal, much like Tottenham, struggles with consistency, particularly in crucial matches. He added, “They’ve had chances in two seasons to win the Premier League, but they couldn’t take it. Why? I don’t know—maybe it’s a lack of experience, maybe it’s consistency, maybe it’s about winning in the right moments. Whatever it is, Arsenal doesn’t seem to have it yet.”
Berbatov’s comments highlight the key issue for both clubs: their failure to convert potential into tangible success. The inability to consistently perform when the stakes are highest has kept them both from achieving the greatness they’ve sometimes seemed on the verge of. Arsenal, for example, had strong title challenges in 2022 and 2023 but ultimately fell short, just as Tottenham have repeatedly failed to win the big prizes despite making deep runs in competitions like the Premier League and the Champions League.
However, while Berbatov’s comparison between Arsenal and Tottenham is understandable, it might also be a bit unfair to Arsenal. While both clubs have experienced their share of frustrations and near-misses, Arsenal’s recent progress under Mikel Arteta is a step ahead of Tottenham’s. Arteta has already achieved more in his relatively short time at the helm than Spurs have in the last 15 years. Under Arteta’s leadership, Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2020, providing tangible silverware in contrast to Tottenham’s continued trophy drought. Moreover, Arteta has matched Mauricio Pochettino’s best league finish by securing a second-place spot in the Premier League.
When you look at the bigger picture, Arsenal’s position seems stronger. While Tottenham’s brightest moment came under Pochettino, who did an excellent job of elevating the team, his tenure was ultimately defined by what Spurs didn’t win rather than what they did. Pochettino came close to breaking Tottenham’s long-standing trophy drought, but despite several opportunities, he never managed to deliver a major trophy.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have a more recent history of winning silverware, and they remain competitive at the top of the Premier League. Despite a slow start to the 2024 season, Arsenal are still being tipped as contenders for the title, with many expecting Arteta’s side to mount a serious challenge. While Berbatov may have concerns about the club’s consistency and mentality, Arsenal’s trajectory still seems promising, and it remains to be seen whether they can finally secure a major honour under Arteta.
Ultimately, while both Arsenal and Tottenham face similar challenges, Arsenal’s recent success under Arteta sets them apart. Both clubs may have been perennial “almost-there” teams over the past decade, but Arsenal, with their FA Cup victory and continued progress in the league, are in a somewhat stronger position than their North London rivals. Time will tell if they can overcome their mental blocks and prove that they have what it takes to consistently compete at the very highest level.