Pride of London

The rivalry this weekend will wholly prove the long-lasting antagonism between Arsenal and Chelsea. On Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Chelsea fans will be taunting each other when both teams meet this weekend. The first meeting between both teams was in November 1907, a match in which Chelsea FC won; 2-1. The total meeting between them is 187; with Arsenal being victorious in 72 games, drawing 54 games and losing 61 times to Chelsea.

The home supporters (Arsenal fans) are claiming to be the pride of London based on their numbers of trophies and history. Arsenal have won 12 FA cups, 13 league titles, two league cups, 14 FA community shields, and 1 UEFA cup winner’s cup. Their fans are like: “Chelsea, you have no history.” Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger reinvented football. He led his team to an unbeaten season in 2003-04; “The invincible.”

Chelsea believes they are the pride of London, asking Arsenal fans: “Have you won the champions league?” Chelsea have won 7 FA cups, 5 league cups, 4 FA community shields, 1 UEFA champions league, two UEFA cup winner’s cups, 1 UEFA Europa league and 1 UEFA Super cup. Chelsea are the only London team to have won the UEFA champions league.

Chelsea FC bringing in Jose Mourinho in 2004 as their manager, added toxicity between both clubs. It started when Henry of Arsenal scored a free kick while Chelsea’s goal keeper was still arranging his players.

After this, Mourinho has been feeding media with words to strike at Arsenal and their manager, Wenger. There is always an intense-feeling between the players and supporters whenever they meet. The 2007 Carling Cup final is an example: Chelsea’s captain, John Terry was made unconscious after Abou Diaby accidentally kicked him in the face. After Didier Drogba, the higest scoring player in a match between both teams, scored an 84th minute goal, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Mikel Obi were given red cards for fighting. Last season’s first encounter saw Chelsea claim a 2-0 victory against Arsenal. Arsenal were reduced to ten men after Diego Costa pretends led to the sending off of Gabriel.

Later, they got another red card, which reduced them to nine. During that same game, Gary Cahill’s harsh challenge on Alexis Sanchez vexed Wenger. Arsene Wenger and Mourinho were physically involved. Wenger pushes Mourinho on the chest, knocking Mourinho off balance. Wenger and Arsenal fans believe Chelsea are boring and defensive.

Mourinho believes Arsenal’s manager, Wenger, is a “specialist in failure and that Arsenal have a “tradition of crying.” With Mourinho gone, the rivalry between both teams continue. From 1996 till date Arsene Wenger of Arsenal have coached against 13 different managers in charge of Chelsea. With Antonio Conte presently involved as Chelsea’s manager the atmosphere this Saturday won’t be different. The new

Chelsea boss is very tactical and defensively minded. Arsenal fans won’t hesitate to boo their former midfielder, Cesc Fabregas and the player who they dislike most, Diego Costa.

Still no derby has grown like that of these two teams in England. Arsenal and Chelsea match have been competitive over the years, longer than that of Manchester derby. Which team will claim bragging right this weekend? Which team will be the pride of London, Arsenal or Chelsea?

Yemi Onayemi a biochemistry graduate who has found his path into Film writing and make up artistry.