It’s a fair assumption that we will head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon with a fair amount of trepidation. Injuries, lack of form and the departure of Edu has left a depressing cloud of negativity around the team, the club and the fans, add into that that this is November our traditional nemesis month, then the signs are not great. But, let’s not forget that we are the Arsenal and we’ve been in worse spots before and Sunday could see a return to form and start the climb back up the table. so in the spirit of positivity here are top three games away at Chelsea from years gone by – and remember Chelsea scored first in all these games, so what ever happens on Sunday, do not despair.
21st September 1997 – Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
Nigel Winterburn, one of the most underestimated full backs of his generation. Constantly overlooked by England in favour of certain other more favoured players – for some reason his face just didn’t seem to fit with successive England managers and his two caps simply do not reflect what amazing player he was. His 14 years at Arsenal saw an impressive collection of medals including three League titles, three FA Cups, a Cup winners Cup and a League Cup. However it is a great irony that he will probably be most remembered for his remarkable strike at the Bridge during Wenger’s first double winning season.
23rd October 1999 – Chelsea 2 – 3 Arsenal
He’s big he’s black he’s had a heart attack, he’s Kanu. Different times and I’m pretty sure that you would hear a chat like that these days, but in the years 1999 to 2002 it was sung at Highbury and all four corners of the Premier League. Kanu was the ultimate on/off player, sometimes unforgettable others simply forgettable. Of all his days in an Arsenal shirt, in all his games this one will always be remembered as his finest hour (well 20 minutes actually!
29th October 2011 – Chelsea 3 – 5 Arsenal
An amazing goal fest on a bright and Sunny Saturday lunchtime. The game ebbed and flowed until the final twenty minutes when a Robin van Persie inspired Arsenal took the game by the scruff of its neck and romped home clear winners.