The Battle of the Golden Spurs was an embarrassing defeat for King Philip IV of France that liberated the whole of the county from French occupation.
Eager for revenge, King Philip raised a new army under Gaucher de Châtillon, Constable of France, and moved against Flanders.
The Flemish under William of Jülich were checking the French troops and both armies met on 30 August 1302, between Arras and Douai.
De Châtillon hurried to Arques, where the Flemish prepared for battle.
As in the Battle of the Golden Spurs, William of Jülich positioned his infantry, mainly from Ypres in a horseshoe shaped formation.