Red - Blue. Wenger - Mourinho. Arsenal - Chelsea. On Sunday, Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea for the first time since last season's 6-0 thrashing. Arsenal and Chelsea matches have produced some good games in the past; here are five of the most memorable.
Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal
This game is arguably one of the most entertaining clashes between these two sides in recent history. Arsenal's then captain, Robin Van Persie, scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge as Arsenal beat AVB's Chelsea. The Blues had taken the lead through Lampard after less than 15 minutes. Van Persie got one back for Arsenal, only for John Terry to reinstate Chelsea's one goal advantage just before half time. The game continued to improve in the second half with goals from Andre Santos and Theo Walcott completing an Arsenal comeback. With just ten minutes remaining though, Juan Mata curled in Chelsea's third and the match's equaliser. Van Persie in the end saw the game out for Arsenal, scoring two more to complete his hat trick and secure the three points.
Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal
For Arsenal fans everywhere this is still tough to swallow. This match may not be one of the best Arsenal - Chelsea matches - even Chelsea fans have said it was too one-sided - but it is very memorable for many reasons. One of these memorable events was the incorrect sending off of Kieran Gibbs by referee Andre Mariner. It was Alex Oxlade Chamberlain who committed the original offence, a handball which directed Eden Hazard's shot away from goal. Despite Chamberlain confessing his guilt, Andre Mariner sent off Gibbs and gave Chelsea a penalty, which was dispatched by Hazard. Goals from Eto'o, Schurrle, Salah and a brace from Oscar completed the scoring for Chelsea. This error in a way marred what was an amazing Chelsea performance and a terrible Arsenal one.
Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
This game is one of the few Arsenal - Chelsea games not to have been played in London. This 2002 FA Cup final was played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and Arsenal went into this final in both high and low spirits. They had not won a trophy in 4 years, despite getting to the 2000 UEFA Cup final and the previous years' FA Cup final. They were, however, top of the league and they knew that one point from the remaining two games would secure them the title for the 12th time. Goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg gave Arsenal their 8th FA Cup. Arsenal's win at Old Trafford in their next match won them the league and secured them an unprecedented 3rd double.
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal
Another Cardiff final makes this list, but this time it is the 2007 League Cup final. Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead 12 minutes in, but Arsenal's ecstasy was short lived; Didier Drogba scored a mere 8 minutes later. Chelsea completed their comeback in the 84th minute, with Drogba scoring his second of the day. In the second half there was a stoppage in play so Chelsea captain John Terry could receive treatment, and this resulted in seven minutes of additional time at the end of the match. This injury time period provided the biggest match memory, and showed why the match was nicknamed the Snarling Cup final. Both Toure and Mikel were sent off in a complete farce which also saw Adebator be sent off as well.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea
Arsenal went into this game hoping to beat Chelsea for the first time in five games. Against the pre-match odds it was Arsenal who were victorious at the final whistle. A goal from Song just before half time, and goals from Fabregas and Walcott just after sealed the points for Arsenal. Ivanovic grabbed a goal back for Chelsea but it wasn't enough for Arsenal to beat Chelsea for the first time in over 2 years.
FIngers crossed Sunday's battle will prove to be as entertaining as the games that made the list.