No one has started a war in a north London derby; nor begun a sectarian feud that’s lasted well over a century.
But Arsenal v Tottenham is among the fiercest rivalries in world football, and Sunday’s big clash at the Emirates promises to be spicier than most.
For the first time in years, both are flying high. They each have 13 points from 15, with only Manchester City having a 100% record.
Spurs are second with Liverpool third, and the Gunners fourth on goal difference.
Not enough to spark hostilities on a par with Honduras and El Salvador who fought a cross-border war after a World Cup qualifier in 1969.
Or stoke the Rangers v Celtic bitterness across the religious divide in Glasgow. But it won’t be for the faint-hearted.
Arsenal are the favourites. Besides the home advantage, they go into the game having made a brilliant return to the Champions League after a six-year absence.
A 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven saw them take charge of Group B after main rivals Seville were surprisingly held to a home draw by RC Lens.
It will now take a major upset for the Gunners not to go through to the knock-out phase.
Spurs sat out the European games, not even qualifying for the so-called graveyard shift (Thursday-Sunday matches) caused by the Europa League.
But as Chelsea found out under Antonio Conte, a lighter fixture load, a lack of travel and more time on the training ground can be a boon.
They became champions the following season.
And Spurs will still be buoyed by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Sheffield United last weekend.
There’s nothing like scoring in the 98th and 100th minutes to lift players, fans and an entire club. Just look at the celebrations.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the man who scored one and provided an assist was none other than Richarlison who, a few days earlier, had been in tears on the Brazil bench.
Admitting that he needed psychological help, the striker rediscovered the best confidence booster he could wish for in the dying moments last weekend.
The hope is that his appearance on the scoresheet will now become a more regular event.
He was never burdened with filling the void left by Harry Kane – you cannot replace the irreplaceable – but more was expected after his £50m move from Everton.
But one gap Spurs have filled this season is to find a manager who looks to the manor born.
You could argue that since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked in 2019, the boss’s office has been as big a chasm as the one Kane left behind.
The disparate talents of Conte, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espiritu Santo never came near to filling it; and nor did assistant Ryan Mason in two caretaker stints.
That’s when Spurs became even more Spursy.
So, it was a big gamble when chairman Daniel Levy opted for Celtic boss, Ange Postecoglou, to become the first Australian to take charge in the EPL.
With his matey, no-nonsense style of man-management and tactical acumen, the Aussie has turned Spurs from a dour, counter-attacking team under Conte into playing on the front foot.
In doing so, he has allowed others to move out of the Kane shadow and flourish.
Forgotten man Yves Bissouma has found a new lease of life as the fulcrum of midfield, and Son Heung-min has regained his spark with the captain’s armband.
But the revelation of the season has been James Maddison whose £40m signing from Leicester looks like a snip. A pity he and Kane didn’t have longer to work together.
But at least Maddison and Bissouma have and can provide Spurs with a midfield: something they never really had under Conte.
It will be fascinating to see if Postecoglou can get a tune out of Brennan Johnson, the new £40m arrival from Nottingham Forest.
Blessed with pace and an eye for goal, he may need careful nurturing and in no way can be described as a replacement for Kane.
But the feel-good factor received a jolt when Ivan Perisic damaged his ACL and will be out for the season.
The experienced Croatian was a key squad member with his versatility and will be missed.
Despite that blow, Spurs go into this game in much better shape than expected when Kane finally left and a rookie manager was left in charge.
Still, they’re probably not on the same level as Arsenal who played their best game of the season against PSV.
It was an encouraging performance on all fronts with Gabriel Jesus getting a fine goal and Emile Smith-Rowe showing he’s back to full fitness and form.
And Leandro Trossard proved his value with another strike as he deputised for the injured Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal now have serious depth, not least in the goalkeeping department.
David Raya was again given the gloves for the European tie and must be odds on to start against Spurs.
Manager Mikel Arteta has courted controversy with his remarks about wanting to substitute his keepers in the past and believes having two top custodians is the way forward.
But whether Aaron Ramsdale agrees is another matter.
The England international was one of the Gunners’ stars last season, and is unlikely to be content with being second choice – even if he does come on occasionally.
It’s an example of Arteta’s forward thinking and will be fascinating to see if the idea catches on.
Certainly, there will be a lot of players with much to prove on Sunday (9pm Malaysia time) and in a derby atmosphere, it could be feisty.
With so many different nationalities, it is often asked if the foreign players get the importance of these local disputes.
The answer to that came in a Rangers v Celtic game when Martin O’Neill was boss of Celtic.
No less than 21 of the 22 starting players were born outside Scotland but he called it: “The most ferocious Old Firm game I’ve ever seen.”
Seconds out for Sunday night then.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.