It is always best to write after a match and not before because you have an actual performance to review and a result to consider and its implications for the Title chase. The North London derby has lost some of its on-the-pitch intensity as both teams field players from abroad who have not grown up with the year-to-year passion of commitment. For the fans the loyalties and the bragging rights and the partisanship is as real as ever and the three points will be contested vigorously. We need the three points. They need the three points. On most occasions fans will settle in advance for a draw but we are moving well and THFC are stuttering. We are playing with confidence and they are wondering if they can sustain a title challenge. It is a good time to play THFC. That said it is a derby – it has a momentum all of its own. Anything can happen. Red cards, penalties, slip of footing – whatever. More about the game on Monday.

Today a dip into the past as I look back at a match played at Highbury on 6 November 1965 against Sheffield United. It was Billy Wright’s last season and we were struggling but those of us who were at Highbury that afternoon will remember the occasion with relish. Blue skies, not a cloud and a strong sun coming over the back of the West Stand. Tony Burns was having a run in goal and the full back pairing of Howe and Storey will surprise you. Narrow Eyes was playing his first match at Highbury having made his debut the week before when we lost 1-3 to Leicester City. McClintock, Ure and David Court were the half backs (remember that term) and the forward line was Skirton, Sammels, Baker, Eastham and Armstrong.

A couple of goals were stand outs. Alan Skirton – big, powerful, fast – took the ball just inside United’s half. He outpaced his opponent and sent in a perfectly flighted cross. Joe Baker – all 5’ 8” – bustled into the penalty area and threw himself at the ball with a full length dive capable of gracing any Olympic pool. His forehead connected ferociously with the cross and the ball almost tore a hole in the net. Close your eyes and you can see little Joe horizontal to the ground as he gets a dramatic goal.

Joe Baker was talent and aggression and skill. An Englishman who played for Hibernian before joining Denis Law at Torino in big money signings. Things did not work out for either. Law went to Old Trafford and Billy Wright made Joe his first signing in time to score on his debut against Leyton Orient – yes they had one year in the old First Division – in August 1962. Skirton came from Bath FC and moved on to Blackpool. He tried but never fulfilled. He had the perfect build but too often was out-witted by his opposing left back. But on that day he scored two goals and Joe bagged a brace as well. The other two goals were scored by George Armstrong who remains the spirit of Arsenal Football Club during his 600+ appearances. Burns in goal had a run until 27 December when he was replaced by Jim Furnell and never played again. Don Howe, an inspired signing by Wright, broke his leg in the home draw in March 1966 against Blackpool. He returned to play a couple of games in 1966-67 under Bertie Mee but retired to start his successful coaching career.

Peter Storey – never left footed, switched to become a reliable right back until an injury to Charlie George in the opening match of the Double season – a draw at Everton – forced a reshuffle. He swapped the No 2 shirt for the No 4 shirt and converted to a most important mid-field “destroyer”. For me he was the making of the Double Team. He gave us presence and impact in mid-field. Yes he could be OTT but his skill as tackler has been overlooked. He played 40 matches in all competitions in the Double season and can anyone forget his two goals to keep us in the FA Cup in the semi-final against Stoke City at Hillsborough.

Ian Ure is much maligned – wrongly in my view. He is remembered for a couple of significant errors – like Gerrard’s in the unsuccessful 2014 title chase for Liverpool. A good whole hearted man he moved onto Man U allowing Frank to become a most effective centre half. Joe Baker moved on to Notts Forest and George Eastham to Stoke as Bertie Mee set out about moulding his squad which won the Double five years later in 1971.

I always say that memories matter. They secure our commitment, gives us moments of joy as we recall them down the years. They are the events that renew our support in the hope that we will repeat the moments of joy and excitement. For youngsters new to AFC, Ozil’s goal on Tuesday was just such a moment and when their grey hair comes and the their body begins to ache they will recall that goal just as we recall Charlie’s goal at Wembley or George’s header at Villa Park or the three players who each scored two goals on Saturday 6 November 1965 – Skirton, Baker and Armstrong.

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