Younes Kaboul has admitted that being part of North London derbies was a special feeling and has opened up on his late winner in Tottenham’s 3-2 win over Arsenal in 2010.
Kaboul made over 150 appearances for Spurs across two spells in North London and while the Frenchman’s time at the club did not end in a positive manner, the defender was part of some memorable times at the club.
Arguably the most special moment he had in a Spurs shirt was scoring the winner at the Emirates to help the Lilywhites overcome their fierce rivals away from home for the first time in 17 years.
Kaboul admitted that he was not aware ahead of the match that Tottenham had not won a North London derby away from home since 1993.
He told the club’s official website: “Tottenham versus Arsenal is always a special game, obviously.
“Back in 2010, to win that game was something special. I didn’t know at the time, but I was told after the game that Tottenham hadn’t won there since 1993.”
Tottenham’s 3-2 win in 2010 remains to this day the last time that Spurs overcame the Gunners at the Emirates in the Premier League.
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However, a win certainly did not look like it was on the cards for the away side at the interval that afternoon, with Arsene Wenger’s men going into the break 2-0 up.
Kaboul admitted that Harry Redknapp gave the players a rollicking at half-time, which inspired the comeback as Gareth Bale and Rafael Van der Vaart levelled the game early in the second 45 before Kaboul scored a late winner.
The former Spurs defender said: “To be losing 2-0 at half-time against your rivals was tough, that was not easy. In the dressing room Harry (Redknapp) killed us.
“He said that it was not acceptable, and he was waiting for us to change the second half. We went back on the pitch after the break with a mindset and we made the difference.
“Gareth scored first, straight away after half-time and that gave us a lift – we were back in the game. I think in that game, Arsenal made a big mistake in thinking that at half-time the game was over. Then Rafa scored and I got that winner late on.
“It was a transition period because it started again to show that Tottenham were ‘there’ and that we could win away at Arsenal.
“To win at the Emirates is not easy but it’s not impossible at the same time. I’m sure this season, Tottenham have a big chance to win this game.”
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That 3-2 win is one of my favourite ever North London derby memories and it is why I will always have a soft spot for Kaboul. That game ranks second only to our 5-1 drubbing of Arsenal in 2008 in the second leg of the League Cup semifinal.
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