Chelsea v Arsenal: 5 classic Premier League clashes

There’s definitely something in the west London air when capital rivals Chelsea and Arsenal square off at Stamford Bridge.

Over the years there have been some truly classic encounters between the two sides and with Jose Mourinho set to clash with Arsene Wenger once again we could be set for fireworks even more dazzling than those found amongst a set of Galatasaray fans!

After last season’s 6-0 mauling at the hands of the Blues, Arsenal will be desperate for revenge but will have to overcome the 4/1 odds to take all three points back to north London.

Chelsea, who are sitting pretty at the top of the table, will be confident of victory and are 4/6 with Ladbrokes for the win with the draw available at 11/4.

But for now sit back and relax as Oliver Yew takes you down memory lane (or the King’s Road!) with some absolute classic London Derbies at the Bridge…

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal – Stamford Bridge – 1997

The London rivals traded strikes through Gus Poyet, Gianfranco Zola and a Dennis Bergkamp double in what was a thrilling encounter in front of the Blues faithful.

But with nothing to separate the two sides and a point apiece looking the most likely outcome, Nigel Winterburn (yes, Nigel Winterburn) of all people popped with an absolute worldie strike to beat Ed de Goey and snatch all three points for the Gunners in the final minute of normal time.

Watch Winterburn’s screamer at Stamford Bridge right here:

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal – Stamford Bridge – 1999

Another year, another 3-2 win in favour of the Gunners but this match provided us with one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Premier League.

In what was a hotly contested London derby it was two headers from Tore Andre Flo and Dan Petrescu that gave the Blues a 2-0 advantage.

Gianluca Vialli’s men were on course for an important three points but Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu had other ideas, firing three goals in an incredible 15 minutes of football to complete a famous turnaround.

Watch Kanu score in the 75th, 83rd and 90th minutes to complete one of the most famous comebacks in Premier League history:

Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal – Stamford Bridge – 2000

“Anything Nigel Winterburn can do I can do better” was the mantra Silvinho must have been using back at the turn of Millennium as his carbon copy of the former England left-back’s strike three years earlier earned the Gunners a share of the spoils in west London.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Gianfranco Zola put the Blues ahead but in true Chelsea v Arsenal style Arsene Wenger’s men roared back through Thierry Henry and this Silvinho screamer…

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal – Stamford Bridge – 2006

With Chelsea and Arsenal involved it would be a huge surprise if Ashley Cole’s name didn’t crop up at some point during proceedings!

The England international full-back’s transfer from north to west London was the story of the year and this encounter saw Cole feature against his former employers for the first time.

As always this was a fierce 90 minutes between the two rivals complete with fake “Cashley” Cole £20 notes launched into the air by the travelling support.

Mathieu Flamini gave the Gunners the lead and the boys in red thought they were making the short trip across the capital with the spoils only for Micheal Essien to thunder home a stunning swerving shot to earn a point for his side.

Watch Essien’s Roberto Carlos like shot complete with “UNBELIEVABLE” Tyler and Gray commentary:

Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal – Stamford Bridge – 2011

One of the darkest days in Andres Villas-Boas’ short tenure in charge of Chelsea, a Robin van Persie-inspired Arsenal ran riot at Stamford Bridge in an eight-goal thriller.

In all honesty the score could have easily been 10-10 in west London but it was an RVP hat-trick that did the damage with a famous John Terry “slip” (We know where you got it from Stevie G!) for good measure.

Not that Gunners fans needed any more reason to celebrate!

Watch all eight goals on a classic afternoon at the Bridge here:

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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