Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger have a score to settle. (Picture: Getty)

It’s a paradox. London is blue, but only eight miles from the epicentre of where this phrase originated, London is red and white.

The eight-mile divide between the Chelsea’s and Arsenal’s bases will be non-existent for the 180th time in history as blue and red will merge at the Emirates pitch.

Different in colours but like particles with same polarity, they will seek to divide yet again.

The years have scattered hundreds of memorable moments over 179 blood-and-sweat clashes between Arsenal and Chelsea.


Here are the best five for your enjoyment.

5. Kanu believe it



Nwankwo Kanu: remember him? The Nigerian forward scored roughly 10% of his total of Arsenal goals against Chelsea; in one match; in 15 minutes.



The following event occurred in October 1999 at Stamford Bridge. Time was ticking away with exactly 15 minutes left on the clock and smug Chelsea were two goals up.

Three minutes later, a Kanu double leveled the score. Then the impossible happened. Kanu’s persistence on the left wing paid off as he found himself one-on-one against the keeper.

One simple trick and he was unmarked near the goal-line, 10 yards left of the goal – an impossible angle. No problem.

Kanu spun a ball over two defenders and into the net as the crowd exploded under Gianluca Vialli’s, Chelsea manager then, disbelieving gaze, 3-2 Arsenal. The comeback shocked Chelsea so much that they failed to win a single game against Arsenal over the next six years.

4. Too much is too much

The League Cup final in 2007 had it all: goals, unbearable tension, stretchers, cards, 13 minutes of injury time and a big scuffle.

First Abou Diaby knocked out John Terry with a kick most UFC fighters would be proud of and then passions reached boiling point in the dying stages of the match.

A seemingly innocuous clash between Kolo Toure and John Obi Mikel in the 93th minute turned into a release valve for accumulated frustrations on the pitch.

As the dust settled from the 22-player-plus-managers jumble, three red and two yellow cards were shown. Ugly scenes: perhaps a step over the line of this classic rivalry.

3. Michael Essien stunner

Every match is important, but some are more than others.

In December 2006, the importance of a Chelsea v Arsenal Premier League clash gave way to a single Michael Essien moment. His goal from 35 yards was a rare one, reminiscent of Roberto Carlos’ curled free-kick against France in 1997.

It was one of those goals which you had to watch over and over again, in slow motion, to experience the real joy of football.

2. Winning the FA Cup in style

Arsenal have had stunners of their own: none more important than those in the FA Cup final in 2002.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Ray Parlour received a ball from Sylvain Wiltord, looked around, changed direction and took a curled shot.

The trajectory of the ball on its way into net still fills people with warmth.

Inspired, Freddy Ljiungberg tried to recreate the moment – only, he would do it better.



Receiving the ball in his own half, the Swede made a straightforward dash in among Chelsea players to reach the edge of the box – unmarked and with murderous intent. The unleashed curled ball seemed to travel slowly on as if on purpose, to emphasize its own grace.

1. Terry takes a tumble



Six minutes were left on the clock and the scores were at 3-3.

A seemingly harmless Gervinho pass in the centre of park turned into a John Terry mockery. As the ex-England international chased the ball with Robin van Persie lurking behind, he slipped and fell in an unexplainable fashion.

Robin van Persie and Gif-makers around the world gladly accepted Terry’s gift as Arsenal went on to win 5-3 – the Dutch striker scoring a hat-trick.

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