‘More about TikTok’ – Arsenal vs Tottenham not as intense but one football rivalry outshines them all

https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/guglielmo-vicario-tottenham-hotspur-clashes-963547892.jpg?strip=all&quality=100&w=1920&h=1080&crop=1

Whenever these teams face each other you can guarantee fireworks.

Arsenal host Tottenham in the latest episode of the north London derby and the Emirates is sure to be fiery.

The north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal is one of the most hotly contested in the UK
Getty

The world is littered with bitter feuds among fans, so talkSPORT host and former Premier League striker Troy Deeney focused on the liveliest in the UK, starting with one that rarely gets played but the hatred is still very much there.

5. Millwall vs West Ham 

"You don't get it as often and I've played against both teams. When their mob decide to go against you, it's a bit ropey.

"You have to stand strong. I've done West Ham away with Blues (Birmingham) fans before and I’ve gone to a West Ham vs Millwall match with my Dad when I was a kid. 

"That was probably the most scared I've ever been. It's a massive rivalry but you don't see it enough."

Known historically as the ‘Dockers Derby’ owing to the fans who worked at the shipyards for rival firms on the River Thames, Millwall and West Ham have faced each other 99 times competitively, with Millwall clinching 38 victories, West Ham 37, and 27 matches ending in a draw.

Their last game was in 2012 with West Ham an established Premier League side and Millwall competing in the Championship.

4. Arsenal vs Tottenham 

It comes as no shock that Arsenal vs Tottenham has made the list.

This rivalry traces back to 1913 when Arsenal relocated their ground to north London from south of the River Thames. Their new neighbours weren't at all pleased. 

Arsenal fans have even created their own 'holiday' surrounding the rivalry, celebrating St. Totteringham's Day — the day in the season when Spurs can no longer mathematically finish above Arsenal in the table.

"We see this one a lot," Deeney said.  

The rivalry remains strong between Arsenal and Tottenham
Getty
Deeney has seen his fair share of derbies and played in plenty

"I don't think it's one that has trouble behind it where [fans are fighting]. 

"I think it's now more like who's got the most followers. It's like a TikTok thing."

3. Liverpool vs Manchester United

"We saw what it does to the players a couple of weeks back when Man United got the result at Liverpool," Deeney said. 

And he isn't wrong, with just 35 miles between them they are two clubs that have always dished up tasty affairs when they meet. 

The game Deeney is referring to is Man United's display at Anfield. 

After a tumultuous spell and Liverpool topping the table, the Red Devils defied the odds and emerged with a 2-2 draw.

Man United & Liverpool are close when it comes to trophies.

They made it clear they wouldn't allow their rivals to bask in a victory.

Their rivalry is entirely understandable, as both clubs boast the most illustrious records in English football history.

Together, they've amassed 39 league titles, 21 FA Cups, 16 League Cups, 37 Community Shields, and nine European Cups/Champions Leagues.

2. Birmingham vs Aston Villa

Known as the Second City derby, this is one Deeney knows all too well being a Birmingham fan.

"We haven't seen that for a while but obviously I've been at those and I know what that does in and around the city. 

Grealish was knocked to the floor after being struck around the back of the head
Getty Images - Getty

"We saw Jack Grealish got chinned [by a pitch invader in 2019] as well when that happened.

Grealish got up after being punched from behind in one derby at St. Andrew's, however in the second half, he got the ultimate revenge and scored to give Villa a 1-0 victory. 

"In the build-up to one of those derbies it's all anyone cares about," Deeney continued. 

"There's a divide in the City, everyone comes out for it. You know what it's going to be like and it's a lively weekend."

1. Rangers vs Celtic 

Known as ‘The Old Firm’, Celtic v Rangers is often cited as one of the most intense in the world

"I think it's the biggest and the best in the UK. There's maybe a few I've missed out but at the top, those five are the ones that come into my head. 

“Going to a Rangers vs Celtic game is on my bucket list and I’d like to get it done this year.”

"At the moment there's like no away fans allowed but I'd like them to let them in again because that's the spectacle of why we watch it. 

"At the minute it's a little bit unfair, just one whole coliseum of one side of fans. 

"The other team are basically just getting abused the whole time."

As the two most celebrated teams in Scotland, backed by enormous fan bases, the derbies are always fiercely contested.

It can be complex to those outside of Scotland and Ireland given the focus from some fans on politics and religion but when it doesn’t cause violence and appropriate songs are sung the Old Firm derby is often cited as the most passionate in the world.

When away fans were allowed in, it was loud and nothing else mattered to anyone inside either Celtic Park or Ibrox for those 90 minutes.

×