Club rivalries are traditionally confined to the pitch, yet the lines are blurring ahead of England’s upcoming World Cup campaign.
Just days before England’s squad reports for the World Cup, a heated social media exchange between Arsenal’s Noni Madueke and Tottenham’s Djed Spence has fans wondering if this heated North London feud will cause drama in the England squad.
To understand how this beef started, we have to look back a few months.
Earlier in the season, Tottenham full-back Djed Spence built a reputation for his online banter.
Whenever he delivered a strong performance against an opposing winger, he would joke that he had placed them in his “penitentiary” or “locked them up.”
It became one of his running social media themes and regularly evoked reactions from his supporters.
However, the joke took a U-turn to haunt him in February.
After Arsenal defeated Tottenham in the North London Derby, Arsenal’s official social media account posted a clip showing Bukayo Saka and Cristhian Mosquera winning the ball back from Spence.
The caption was simple but effective: “Locked up,” accompanied by a padlock emoji.
To many, it looked like Arsenal had perfectly turned the tables on Spence’s own joke.
For a while, that seemed to be the end of the matter.
Then came Budapest.
Arsenal’s season ended heartbreakingly in the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Following a dramatic draw, Arsenal eventually lost on penalties.
Adding to the heartbreak, a massive talking point emerged in extra time when substitute Noni Madueke was caught by Nuno Mendes inside the box, but Arsenal’s desperate penalty appeals were refused by the referee.
And that decision became one of the most debated incidents of the final.
While Arsenal players and supporters were still processing the defeat, Spence made his move.
Within minutes of the final whistle, the Tottenham defender quote-posted Arsenal’s old “Locked up” message.
This time, he responded with an open padlock emoji and a pair of eyes, suggesting Arsenal had finally been “unlocked.”
— Djed Spence (@DjedSpence) May 30, 2026
As expected, the tweet blew up online, triggering a massive wave of banter from Tottenham and Arsenal supporters alike.
But Madueke had a response of his own.
A day later, an Arsenal fan page posted a celebratory image of Madueke and Declan Rice with the Premier League trophy.
The winger responded from his verified account with a pointed message:
“Champions! Whilst others are tweeting and posting “
Fans immediately interpreted it as a direct response to Spence’s late-night dig.
The internet reacted exactly as you’d expect.
Arsenal supporters accused Spence of obsessing over a club that had just won the league, while Tottenham fans praised his patience and timing.
Many neutrals simply enjoyed the chaos.
But the real story is what happens next.
In a matter of days, Madueke, Spence, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice are expected to report for England’s World Cup camp.
Suddenly, fierce North London enemies become international teammates chasing a common goal.
For years, England has worked hard to get rid of the club drama that divided previous generations.
That is exactly why fans are keeping such a close eye on this beef.
Most expect it to remain just as friendly banter, but it added an unexpected subplot before the ball rolls in the biggest show on earth.
For now, the North London Derby is confined to social media.
The real question is whether it stays there once the England camp begins.
