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capital clash

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Dennis Bergkamp’s assist, Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game nightmare and Didier Drogba’s stunner… five games to define rivalry

The London derby has seen moments that went down in Premier League history, here SunSport recaps the best

ARSENAL host Chelsea at the Emirates on Saturday evening and if history is a guide then it will be a stonker.

Here, SunSport looks at five of the best clashes between the London heavyweights.

 The Arsenal and Chelsea rivalry has produced some incredible moments
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The Arsenal and Chelsea rivalry has produced some incredible momentsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

March 22 2014 - Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal

The defining fixture of recent years for the completely one-sided scoreline and its significance.

This was Arsene Wenger's 1000th game in charge of the Gunners. It was supposed to be a celebration.

Instead it was a shocking, numbing experience that left the Frenchman reeling.

And who dished out the punishment? Jose Mourinho, of course.

 Kieran Gibbs was famously sent off instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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Kieran Gibbs was famously sent off instead of Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainCredit: Getty Images

Samuel Eto'o, Andre Schurrle and an Eden Hazard penalty put the Blues ahead inside 17 minutes.

Kieran Gibbs was sent off instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Oscar bagged a brace and Mohamed Salah - now at Roma - put the final nail in the coffin.


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Mourinho said: "We came to kill and in ten minutes, we destroyed."

October 29 2011 - Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal

In his final season with the Gunners, Robin Van Persie left Stamford Bridge the parting gift of a hat-trick. Nice.

What's more, the Gunners came from behind not once but twice, thanks in part to John Terry.

 Robin Van Persie leaves Petr Cech floored en-route to a hat-trick
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Robin Van Persie leaves Petr Cech floored en-route to a hat-trickCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Chelsea skipper Terry slipped in the 85th minute, let RVP through... and another was bagged in injury time.

Oh, and don't forget the stunners from Theo Walcott and Juan Mata.

October 23 1999 - Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal

Nwankwo Kanu nailed a 15-minute hat-trick to break Chelsea hearts.

Tore Andre Flo and Dan Petrescu gave Gianluca Vialli's side the lead at home.

But cult icon Kanu struck in the 75th, 83rd and 90th minutes - the last coming after Blues keeper Ed De Goey rushed out of his box to let Kanu in.

 Kanu scores his first goal against Chelsea in one of their most famous fixtures
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Kanu scores his first goal against Chelsea in one of their most famous fixturesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

This match is also remembered, although slightly less so, for Lee Dixon being booked by ref Alan Wilkie after just three minutes for snapping at Graeme Le Saux's heels.

November 29 2009 - Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea

Two words decided the outcome here: Didier. Drogba.

He broke the stalemate on 41 minutes when he met Ashley Cole's cross.

Thomas Vermaelen then gifted the visitors an own goal.

 Didier Drogbas stunning free kick sealed a 3-0 win back in 2009
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Didier Drogbas stunning free kick sealed a 3-0 win back in 2009Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD

Finally, to rub salt into the wound, Drogba unleashed a venomous 25-yard free-kick that left Manuel Almunia no chance.

The win put Chelsea five points clear at the top of the table in the season in which they won their first ever double.

February 21 2004 - Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

Eleven years at Arsenal and this game has to be remembered for one of Dennis Bergkamp's best assists.

Eidur Gudjohnsen put the hosts ahead inside the first minute. Then the magic happened.

Robert Pires stole the ball, poked it into Patrick Vieira's path, who then squared it to Bergkamp, ten yards from the half-way line.

 Dennis Bergkamp had one of his finest moments as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1
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Dennis Bergkamp had one of his finest moments as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Four touches later he had dispatched an inch-perfect outside-of-the-boot pass to Vieira, who by now was unmarked on the edge of the box.

He let the ball run onto his left foot then drilled it low into the corner.

Edu got the winner in the 21st minute and Arsenal's Invincibles season carried on.

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