Arsenal and Chelsea played out a pretty tame 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Sunday, a result that keeps Chelsea firmly in the driving seat with regards to the title, and Arsenal on top when it comes to who will finish as runners up.
Neutral’s were disappointed to see a game that featured attacking talents the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud finished without a goal – not something we have become accustomed to seeing from this particular London derby.
These two sides have played out some crackers over the course of the Premier League era, although the Blues have firmly held the upper hand in the fixture since Jose Mourinho arrived in 2004.
How many of Jose’s current crop make it into this best all time Arsenal and Chelsea combined XI?
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Click on Mourinho and Wenger to reveal the best all-time Arsenal and Chelsea combined XI
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Petr Cech
The current Chelsea number two pips David Seaman to the number one spot in this XI.
Cech has three Premier League titles and success in the Champions League on his CV, having joined Chelsea for less than £10million back in 2004.
If rumours are to be believed, Arsene Wenger will attempt to lure him to north London this summer, with the 32-year-old having lost his first team place to Thibaut Courtois this season.
Branislav Ivanovic
A top class defender, but also a scorer of hugely important goals.
Ivanovic has key strikes in the Premier League, League Cup, Champions League to his name, not to mention a Europa League final winning goal.
The Serb has remained a part of a back four that is considered amongst the very best in Europe.
A firm favourite with the fans, Chelsea supporters will be hoping stories linking him with a summer move to Paris St Germain prove to be false.
Tony Adams
Arsenal fans would be willing to borrow a phrase plastered across a Chelsea flag to describe Tony Adams, a man who was indeed a true captain, leader and legend.
For many Arsenal fans, the best moment in the clubs history came courtesy of their famous number six, as he raced through on goal to finish emphatically against Everton in 1998, sealing a 4-0 win, and the club’s first Premier League title in the process.
As the commentary from Martin Tyler said that day, with regards to a man who served the club with great distinction for over twenty years ‘that sums it all up.’
John Terry
From the best English defender of one generation to the best English defender of another.
John Terry looks set to seal his fourth Premier League title in the coming days, in a season where he has once again been the standout defender in the country.
Jose Mourinho said his performance in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Sunday was the best he had produced during both of the Portuguese’s spells at Stamford Bridge, and served as a further indication that the 34-year-old seems to be getting better with age.
Ashley Cole
A man who served both clubs with great distinction, who is adored by one set of supporters and despised by another – of course it could only be Ashely Cole.
Whatever Arsenal fans may say about him, there is no doubt that for a spell he was the world’s best left back.
A part of the ‘Invincibles’ side in 2004, Cole would go on to enjoy success on the domestic and European stage over an eight year period at Stamford Bridge.
Freddie Ljungberg
The man for the big occasion, as Chelsea fans know all too well after a stunning FA Cup final goal against the Blues in 2002.
Signed in 1998 for just £3 million, Freddie Ljungberg won the Arsenal faithful over straight away with a debut goal against Manchester United.
The Swede went on to score vital goals countless times for the Gunners, scoring in two FA Cup finals and going on an incredible scoring run during the 2002 title run in, in which he was hailed as the main reason behind the clubs success that season, which more than made up for the dodgy haircut.
Patrick Vieira
What Arsenal fans would give to have Patrick Vieira back in the middle of the park today.
The Frenchman was an absolute monster for Wenger from 1996 to 2005, captaining Arsenal to some of the greatest moments in the club’s history.
Vieira provided everything needed in a modern captain – leadership, tough tackling and no shortage of footballing ability.
A favourite moment for Gunners fans will be his opening goal at White Hart Lane in 2004 on the day Wenger’s side confirmed their third Premier League title in a season they went on to become the ‘Invincibles.’
Frank Lampard
Chelsea fans still can’t get used to seeing Frank Lampard in a Manchester City shirt, with the midfielder having enjoyed so much of his career in west London.
Signed from West Ham in the summer of 2001, the former England international will be considered the best piece of business the club ever did.
Lampard left Stamford Bridge last summer having won all there is to win on both the domestic and European stage, as well as with the record of being the top Chelsea goalscorer of all time.
Robert Pires
Hopes were high when Wenger signed the World Cup winner from Marseille in 2000.
The Frenchman made a slow start to life at Arsenal, but once he settled into life in the Premier League it is hard to argue if there was a better winger in the game.
And at £6 million, it could be argued he proved to be one of the all-time Premier League bargains.
Pires was an integral part of Wenger’s best ever Arsenal team, being part of the invincibles in 2003/2004, and the clubs Player of The Year in their title winning season in 2001/2002.
He managed a very impressive 62 goals in 189 games for the Gunners, many of them proving spectacular.
Didier Drogba
Drogba made a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, after he signed from Marseille for £24million in the summer of 2004.
But persistence saw him go on to become perhaps the greatest Chelsea striker of all time.
On his day the Ivorian was simply unplayable, and helped Chelsea to success on both the domestic and European front.
Nobody will forget his heroics in Munich in 2012, whilst his sentimental return last summer looks set to end with him collecting a fourth Premier League winners medal.
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry spent eight years at the Gunners, in which time he established himself as Arsenal’s captain, all-time leading goalscorer, and a genuine world class talent – arguably the best the Premier League has ever seen.
The Frenchman won seven major honours during his time at the club, including two Premier League titles.
He was a major part of the ‘invincibles’ during the 2003/2004 season, winning the clubs Player of The Year in a season that will go down in football history.
