Arsenal's best wins against Chelsea


Van Persie


Arsenal's best wins against Chelsea

By Jonny Bray

Arsenal travel to Chelsea this evening in the hope of boosting their chances of Champions League qualification.

Chelsea have given us plenty of reasons to hate them over the years, consistently showing why they are one of the least likeable sides in the country. 

Since the arrival and subsequent departure of Roman Abramovich, the Blues have become genuine competition for Arsenal's place as London's most successful club.

But despite this, over the years Gunners fans have enjoyed some great results against the West Londoners. 

3-2 (January 2003)

Arsenal won 3-2 to cement their supremacy at the top of the table and put a dent in Chelsea's title hopes back in January 2003. 

The Premier League may have gone to Manchester United that season, but that doesn't take the shine off a convincing win against the Blues.

Arsene Wenger's side looked home and dry as they cruised into a three-goal lead with ten minutes remaining of the game.

Marcel Desailly's own goal and strikes from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Thierry Henry put the Gunners in complete control.

But it wasn't over yet as Gunners fans were made to sweat by goals from Mario Stanic and Emmanuel Petit.

1-0 (December 2007) 

In December 2007, Arsenal defeated Chelsea for the first time since 2004 to reclaim top spot in the Premier League. 

The victory helped boost Arsenal's hopes of winning the 2007/08 title, but it also ended a period of Chelsea dominance in London. 

Abramovich's arrival in the capital tipped the balance of power in London in favour of the Blues, and it was beginning to feel like Chelsea would dominate for years to come. 

The west Londoners were ten games unbeaten against the Gunners, with the run starting less than a year after the Russian arrived at Stamford Bridge 

Unfortunately, that season ended with Arsenal sitting in third while Chelsea finished second and reached their first-ever Champions League final. 

But William Gallas's header after Petr Cech failed to collect a corner ensured a Gunners win on the day, and for one afternoon at least, it felt like Arsenal were back. 

5-3 (October 2011) 

Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick to inspire Arsenal to an incredible 5-3 win against Chelsea. 

The Dutch striker's 26th, 27th and 28th goals in 27 Premier League games helped the Gunners get their season back on track and saw Chelsea slump to a second successive defeat. 

It capped a disastrous week for André Villas-Boas' side in which Blues captain John Terry was accused of directing racial abuse toward QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. 

Terry actually got on the scoresheet during the contest, but it was not enough to distract fans from the controversy surrounding him or to stop Arsenal from running out 5-3 victors.

André Santos and Theo Walcott wrapped up the win for Arsenal, much to the delight of the travelling support. 

3-0 (September 2016)

Arsenal produced a devastating first-half display to dismantle Chelsea and secure a fourth successive Premier League win back in September 2016. 

Arsenal's best win over the Blues in recent years came after goals from Alexis Sanchez, Walcott and Mesut Özil. 

On paper, the Chelsea side that day was outstanding, but in reality, they had struggled for form at the start of the season and were sat in eighth after ten games. 

However, this match would act as a catalyst for change at Stamford Bridge. 

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte would eventually switch to three at the back, resulting in his side winning the title that season in miraculous circumstances. 

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