The iconic rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea is one of the most closely-contested and bitter local derbies in football – today, we’ll be looking at three of the most scintillating encounters between the two outfits.
We’ll be looking at 3 games in the Premier League, and one in the FA Cup – no matter the circumstances, whenever these two teams come to blows, sparks are sure to fly.
Although we did not limit our search to just games in the Premier League, all 4 of our picks fall post-1992. In many ways, this is quite appropriate – the rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea did not blossom into the clash of the titans we know today until the dawn of the Premier League era.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea, 2017 (FA Cup Final)
We’ll start our list with a victory for the Gunners. The game got off to a lightning quick start, as Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring in the 4th minute to put the North London club ahead early on.
Arsenal looked to have things wrapped up in the 68th minute, when Chelsea’s Victor Moses was sent off – however, the Blues weren’t done yet. Diego Costa, forever a thorn in Arsenal’s side, pulled level in the 76th minute.
Nevertheless, the Gunners did not allow their heads to drop, despite this setback. Just three minutes later, Aaron Ramsey fired Arsenal back into the lead – this time, Chelsea would not respond, giving Arsenal their 13th FA Cup.
Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal, 2022
The most recent encounter between the two teams on our list – once again, this game saw Arsenal walk away with the victory over the Blues.
Like the previous game we mentioned, this game flew out of the traps. Arsenal took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a goal from Eddie Nketiah, only for his effort to be cancelled out four minutes later by Timo Werner.
The Gunners went ahead once again as Emile Smith Rowe found the back of the net, but Chelsea levelled the scores via Cesar Azpilicueta to make it 2-2.
As the game entered the second half, Nketiah scored again to make it 3-2 – Arsenal’s victory was completed in added time with a Bukayo Saka penalty.
Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea, 2017
Unlike the previous two entries on our list, this game was a slow burner. Nevertheless, once it began heating up, it swiftly turned into a Premier League classic.
When Jack Wilshere opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, the game burst into life. Just four minutes later, Chelsea equalised with a penalty from Eden Hazard – they then took the lead in the 84th minute thanks to Marcos Alonso.
Arsenal weren’t done, however – in the game’s dying embers, Hector Bellerin drew the Gunners level with a wonderful goal to end the match in a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea, 23rd April 2024
Unlike previous entries on this list, this game was a an absolute blowout when all things pointed towards a tight encounter given Chelsea’s improved form beating Man United and pushing Man City very hard each time they have played.
But with this Chelsea team under Mauricio Pochettino you just never know what you will get. Could it be another star of the season Cole Palmer show where Chelsea look like top 6 contenders or will it be like this where Mikel Arteta’s men were ruthless and put the Blues to the sword at a rauceous Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners look determined to go all the way this season and this performamce showed how they have grown from last season’s stuttering run-in where City prevailed. City may yet prevail this year again unless they slip up but either way Arsenal are getting better and better with the now inspired signings of Kai Havertz and David Raya showing Arsenal belong amongst Europe’s elite.
Scorers on the night were the impressing Leandro Trossard with the first then both versatile defender Ben White with 2 goals and popular Havertz added another brace to make it 5-0.
