Chelsea v Arsenal: Classic Matches

One of the Premier League's greatest rivalries, Chelsea and Arsenal have delivered a catalogue of captivating encounters through the years.

From touchline spats to long-range screamers, we've delved into the archives and picked out five classic matches between London's two most successful clubs.

Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal - March 2014

What was supposed to be an afternoon of celebration for Arsene Wenger transpired to be his worst nightmare.

Arsenal's visit to Stamford Bridge marked Wenger's 1,000th match in charge of the Gunners and rather than it being an occasion he cherished, the Frenchman reflected on the fixture by suggesting it was "one of the worst days" in his illustrious career.

The visitors trailed by two inside seven minutes and their woes were compounded when Kieran Gibbs was mistakenly sent off, with referee Andre Marriner judging the left-back to be the guilty culprit when it was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who had actually parried Eden Hazard's strike.

Hazard converted the resulting spot-kick and there was further misery for the Gunners when Oscar scored a brace before Mohamed Salah found the net for Chelsea's sixth.

The result remains Jose Mourinho's biggest Premier League victory.

Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal - October 2011

Spectators were treated to a goal frenzy and expert marksmanship from Robin van Persie as Arsenal haunted Chelsea on the Halloween weekend.

Frank Lampard's header after 14 minutes had put the hosts in the ascendancy but in a contest that was strewn with defensive errors, Van Persie slotted home Gervinho's pass to restore parity.

Chelsea reclaimed the lead through John Terry moments before half-time but Arsenal responded impressively, seizing the initiative of the game with goals from Andre Santos and Theo Walcott.

Juan Mata put Chelsea back on terms with a swerving 25-yard shot and just when the Blues sensed the game was there for the taking, Terry slipped at the vital moment, allowing Van Persie to break through and the Dutchman made no mistake as he slotted beyond Petr Cech.

The Gunners striker wrapped up his hat-trick in stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations from Wenger and his coaching staff as a forlorn Andre Villas-Boas slumped to his seat.

Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea - November 2009

Didier Drogba was Arsenal's arch nemesis and no match reflected his stranglehold of the Gunners better than his two-goal cameo at the Emirates in 2009.

The Ivorian powerhouse broke the deadlock when he cushioned Ashley Cole's cross into the top corner and Chelsea extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time as Thomas Vermaelen turned Cole's cross into his own net.

Arsenal persistently knocked on the door in the second half but a resilient Chelsea rearguard thwarted whatever Wenger's side could conjure.

The icing on the cake came in the 86th minute when Arsenal's chief tormentor lined up a free-kick from 25-yards out and blasted it beyond Manuel Almunia, wrapping up a comprehensive away success.

Drogba's brute strength epitomised a relentless Chelsea unit who went on to claim the Premier League title under Carlo Ancelotti that year.

Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal - October 1999

A majestic performance from Nwankwo Kanu inspired Arsenal to one of the greatest comebacks to be played between the two clubs.

In a fiercely-contested derby which saw eight yellow cards brandished by referee Alan Wilkie, the match appeared to have swung the way of the Blues after headed goals from Tore Andre Flo and Dan Petrescu.

Chelsea had not conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge all season but rather than letting the occasion overawe them, Arsenal began to deliver their best football. With conditions deteriorating, it was Kanu who kept his footing to poke beyond Ed De Goey and reduce the deficit with 15 minutes remaining.

Kanu struck again eight minutes later as he rifled a thunderous effort past De Goey at his near post and the Nigerian was the hero in the dying embers, snatching the ball off De Goey before curling a sublime shot over the heads of Frank Lebouef and Marcel Desailly from an improbable angle.

Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal - October 2014

An encounter remembered for what happened on the touchline, Wenger and Mourinho squared up as tensions heightened between the old adversaries at Stamford Bridge.

Irked by a late challenge from Gary Cahill on Alexis Sanchez, Wenger proceeded to confront Mourinho before giving the Chelsea boss a firm two-handed shove to the chest.

Order was restored shortly after, though tension between the two remained throughout and both opted against shaking each other's hand at the end of the match.

Wenger, who had failed to beat Mourinho in his previous 11 encounters, was left to digest yet another defeat to the Portuguese tactican as goals from Hazard and Diego Costa sealed a 2-0 success for the hosts.

To add salt to the wound, the provider for Costa's goal was former Gunner Cesc Fabregas, who was making his first appearance for Chelsea against the club he once captained.

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