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Tottenham can mark their progress at North London Derby

By Ryan Wrenn

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 635481924 and 664948828) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Mauricio Pochettino,Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach / Manager, Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training Session held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 635481924 and 664948828) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Mauricio Pochettino,Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach / Manager, Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training Session held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,) /
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Sunday marks the first opportunity Tottenham have to earn a truly memorable honor in the 2016/17 season. A win over Arsenal and they are assured a spot above their rivals for the first time since 1990.

Things looked different at Tottenham — and in English football as a whole — back then.

The Premier League was still a few years off, and the top flight was still just the First Division. Arsenal began 1989/90 as reigning champions, only securing that honor for themselves on goal difference after a wild last match of the season against Liverpool.

Tottenham were still struggling through the cycle of buying and selling that undercut their ability to compete up until only just a few seasons ago. Though they purchased Paul Gascoigne the season before for a record breaking fee, they sold Chris Waddle to Marseille in the summer of 1989 for then-astronomical sum of £4.1 million.

The profits from Waddle’s sale were re-directed well however. Spurs acquired Gary Lineker from Barcelona in what proved to be a stunning coup. Though approaching 30, the England international would lead the league with 24 goals that season. Considering Tottenham only scored 59 goals in total, Lineker’s contribution represented a tremendous haul.

With Lineker’s help, Spurs kept pace with their rivals right from the start. The two teams would trade results against each other, both winning at home — 1-0 at Highbury and 2-1 at White Hart Lane. A slump in second half of the Gunners’ season worked strongly in Spurs’ favor, and they would finish in third — just one point separating them from their north London neighbors.

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That triumph proved more a aberration than a trend however. Arsenal would win the 1990/91 season while Tottenham sunk to 10th place. Half a decade later Arsene Wenger would arrive and change Arsenal — and English football — forever.

Tottenham sunk into also-ran status, only occasionally mustering any sort of challenge to Arsenal — and never overtaking them.

Recent years have seen Spurs come closer however. André Villas-Boas led the team to finish one point behind Arsenal in fourth place in the 2012/13 season. Mauricio Pochettino would do the same just last season, though under much darker circumstances.

Then, like now, it seemed virtually assured that Tottenham would finally push ahead. A win against a brittle, already-relegated Newcastle side in the last match of the season would ensure their hold of second, while Arsenal would have to settle for third.

Only Tottenham collapsed under the pressure. They would let in five goals and score only one of their own. Arsenal, meanwhile, would beat Aston Villa 4-0 to push ahead and finish the season second.

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Even if Pochettino won’t admit it, on a psychological level finishing above Arsenal would be a huge boost for his young squad. Bigger honors await — the title remains in reach — but there is no denying the massive momentum a win on Sunday would provide.

Speaking more generally, Spurs need some concrete result to mark their progress under Pochettino. He is creating something truly memorable and deserves to take the crown of north London. This feels like one of the best squads in England, and matches like Sunday’s are their chance to prove it.