By Martin Graham
arsenal fans could soon be marking one of their favorite unofficial dates on the calendar. St. Totteringham’s Day is the label given to the point in a season when it is arithmetically certain that Tottenham Hotspur they can no longer finish the campaign above their north London rivals in the table.
The expression, a pun combining ‘Tottenham’ with ‘tottering’, was coined by Arseweb fansite Arseweb in the early 2000s and began to attract wider attention around 2010. For many Gunners supporters, it represents an annual opportunity for local swagger.
This season, that milestone could come sooner than ever. The previous first appearance was on March 9, 2008, but current circumstances make a new record possible.
Sunday’s games could seal it
If Tottenham, currently struggling near the bottom, fail to win away Fulham at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, Arsenal fans will be ready to celebrate. Regardless of Spurs’ result, an Arsenal win against them Chelsea later that afternoon (16:30 GMT) he would mathematically confirm the result.
The possible early celebration underlines the stark contrast between the current situations of the two clubs. Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League, while Spurs are fighting to preserve their top-flight status. Igor Tudor took over the interim role this month following the departure of Thomas Frank.
With 10 games remaining for Arsenal and 11 for Tottenham, the separation is already 32 points. In only five previous league campaigns has the final margin been greater.
A growing gap in recent years
Last season, Arsenal finished as runners-up for the third consecutive year, finishing 36 points ahead of 17th-placed Spurs. St. Totteringham’s day was confirmed as April 3rd in this campaign.
The biggest disparity between the teams came in 2003-04, when Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ amassed 90 points to claim the title, finishing 45 ahead of Tottenham.
Although Spurs enjoyed a run of six consecutive seasons above Arsenal, a streak that ended in 2022, fortunes have changed. Since then, Tottenham have sacked three permanent managers. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta, now in his sixth year in charge of Arsenal, has turned his side into regular Championship contenders.
Tottenham’s best margin over Arsenal remains 14 points, achieved in 2017-18, the season before they reached the Champions League final.
