A regular debate amongst punters at the bar in the Transfer Tavern revolves around combined XI’s, as they argue who would make what team.
This weekend, to ease the arguments a little, we intervened and challenged the Arsenal and Chelsea fans playing pool to decide the ultimate combined team from their sides during the Premier League history.
We can reveal that the arguments didn’t subside as we would have liked, which we should have expected, but in the end we managed to get everyone to agree to a conclusion.
Both London clubs have a proud history, particularly during the past two decades, so there was numerous big-name players from both outfits that have been left out- so let us know in the comments if you don’t agree with the selections!
So, without further ado, here’s the best XI of all-time between Chelsea and Arsenal- this side would be able to win almost anything!
Click Mourinho and Wenger below to see the ALL-TIME combined Arsenal and Chelsea XI!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Petr Cech
Now just one clean-sheet away from equaling the all-time record in the Premier League, Petr Cech is a beloved player at Arsenal since arriving from rivals Chelsea over the summer- which still hurts the Blues fans at the bar.
They fondly remember Cech’s performances in West London, when Cech got his hands on every domestic and continental trophy he possibly could with the Blues. An unbelievable performer and a choice both sets of fans are happy with.
Branislav Ivanovic
The right-back area of this team could well be the weakest, with neither side having too much to offer. Lee Dixon almost made the cut but in the end we agreed to Branislav Ivanovic- though it was mutually agreed it’s the player of the past, not the current performer, that’s earned the grade.
With numerous titles under his belt at Chelsea, Ivanovic has been a crucial part of the recent success of the West London side.
Sol Campbell
Arriving from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Sol Campbell quickly became a star in the red-half and ended up as a double-winner and an invincible. Arguably the greatest defender of Arsene Wenger’s era at Arsenal, it was an easy choice for us here.
John Terry
John Terry was the first name on this team sheet, with the former England captain being the figurehead of all Chelsea’s success in the past decade. The Blues captain has lifted every trophy under the sun in West London, with the highlight being the Champions League a few years back.
Ashley Cole
The second player in this team to have played for both sides, Ashley Cole enjoyed major success with Arsenal and the boyhood Gooner looked set to become a legend. Instead, he moved across London to Chelsea and became a legend there- winning everything!
Robert Pires
Pires is one of the greatest wingers in Premier League history and was an easy choice, though many Blues fans tried to force Eden Hazard into the team- something that was never going to happen, to put in bluntly.
A huge part of Arsenal’s success in the first decade of the millennia, Pires played in a Champions League final for the Gunners and got his hands on plenty of trophies.
Frank Lampard
Like Terry, Lampard was an easy choice in the side as the former England international slotted into the side comfortable. Winning everything with Chelsea, fans at the bar are still unhappy with the unceremonious exit from West London that saw him spend a year on-loan at Manchester City before moving to the MLS.
Patrick Vieira
Arsenal’s legendary captain was another easy choice to enter the side, with the French midfielder fondly remembered for the passion, effort and success he put into the Arsenal squad. His final act as an Arsenal player was to score the winning goal in an FA Cup final shoot-out in 2005, something that lives long in the memories of Arsenal fans.
He could well be a future manager for the Gunners, currently impressing with Manchester City’s youth squad.
Freddie Ljungberg
Coming in on the left is another Arsenal favourite, a winger who, like Pires, contributed massively to Arsenal’s success. He’s fondly remembered for scoring for the Gunners in an FA Cup final against Chelsea, which has earned a scowl from the Blues fans in this discussion.
Thierry Henry
Who else? There was no way Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer and arguably the greatest striker in Premier League history, wasn’t going to make the squad. With a sensational 228 strikes for the Gunners, he achieved things that may never be matched in North London.
Didier Drogba
Now, there was plenty of arguments over this one as Arsenal fans argued their case valiantly to have Dennis Bergkamp in the side. However, we went with Chelsea’s Didier Drogba- perhaps because we feel sorry for the Blues and their current misery.
Drogba overcame Arsenal on numerous occasions and his last act is similar to Vieira’s at Arsenal. He scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, before leaving, although he later returned.
