4 Unforgettable Premier League Showdowns Between Arsenal and Chelsea

Arsenal and Chelsea's rivalry has produced some of the Premier League's most iconic moments. From tactical duels to individual brilliance, this London rivalry never fails to deliver the drama, intensity, and passion that fans crave. So, with another London derby right around the corner, we decided to look back at four of the most unforgettable clashes between the two clubs in recent memory.

1) Chelsea 3 – 5 Arsenal – October 2011: The Van Persie Hat-Trick Show 

The 2011 clash between Arsenal and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was unforgettable for the sheer spectacle and brilliance of Robin van Persie. Arsenal, struggling for form early in the season, entered this game as underdogs against a strong Chelsea side led by Andre Villas-Boas. What followed was a match that embodied the classic “London derby” spirit with its twists, aggressive play, and individual brilliance. 

Arsenal’s defensive fragility was evident when Frank Lampard opened the scoring early for Chelsea with a signature header. However, this Arsenal team, while flawed, had resilience and Van Persie’s leadership in the attack. The Dutchman equalized just in the 36th minute with a neat finish into Peter Cech’s goal. However, just before halftime, Blue’s skipper John Terry nodded home to restore Chelsea’s one-goal advantage at the halftime break. With both teams going hammer and tongs for the win, the second half turned into a thriller.  

Brazilian fullback Andre Santos got the Gunners back level just four minutes after the restart. Theo Walcott’s electric pace put Arsenal ahead, but Juan Mata’s stunning long-range strike brought Chelsea back on level terms at 3-3. It looked like the points would be shared, but Van Persie had other plans. In the dying minutes, he completed his hat-trick with two more goals, securing a memorable 5-3 win for Arsenal. This game reminded fans of Van Persie's lethal finishing and inspired leadership—a moment that kept Arsenal’s season alive in the face of tough odds. 

2) Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal – March 2014: Mourinho’s Tactical Masterclass in Wenger’s 1,000th Game 

In 2014, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger reached the milestone of 1,000 games in charge of the Gunners—a remarkable achievement that unfortunately coincided with one of Arsenal’s most humiliating defeats. Traveling to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side managed by Jose Mourinho, the stage was set for a clash of managerial giants. 

Mourinho’s Chelsea were known for its tactical discipline and ruthlessness, qualities that Arsenal would soon experience firsthand. From the first whistle, Chelsea showed no mercy. Within 15 minutes, they were already 2-0 up, with Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schürrle scoring quick goals. Things went from bad to worse when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handled the ball in the box, leading to a penalty—and an infamous case of mistaken identity, with Kieran Gibbs wrongly sent off.   

With Arsenal down to 10 men, Chelsea unleashed a relentless wave of attacks. By the end of the game, Chelsea had scored six without reply, with Eden Hazard, Oscar, and Mohamed Salah all finding the net. For Wenger, it was a disastrous 1,000th game, a result that haunted the team for months. Mourinho’s tactical approach exploited Arsenal’s weaknesses perfectly, making this one of the most infamous games in recent Premier League history. 

3) Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea – September 2016: The Game that Changed Chelsea’s Season 

In September 2016, Arsenal met Chelsea at the Emirates with both teams searching for form. Antonio Conte was still adjusting to life as Chelsea’s manager, and his side appeared vulnerable, especially in defense. Arsenal capitalized on this vulnerability with a blistering first-half performance that showcased the best of Arsène Wenger's philosophy. 

Arsenal's dominance was apparent from the outset. Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort, pressing high to steal the ball and calmly slotting it past Thibaut Courtois. Just minutes later, Theo Walcott doubled the lead after a superb team move that highlighted Arsenal’s quick, one-touch passing style. Mesut Özil made it 3-0 before halftime with a beautifully crafted goal, combining with Sanchez in a move that tore Chelsea’s defense apart. 

Conte realized his side needed drastic changes, which he implemented in the following games by switching to a 3-4-3 formation—a decision that transformed Chelsea’s season. They went on a remarkable winning run, capturing the Premier League title by the end of the season. This match not only gave Arsenal fans one of their favorite memories against Chelsea but also marked a turning point for Conte’s side, proving that a defeat can sometimes inspire a tactical revolution. 

4) Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal – January 2020: Ten-Man Arsenal’s Resilience Shines Through 

A midweek clash in January 2020 at Stamford Bridge turned out to be one of the most thrilling and unexpected encounters between these two London giants. Mikel Arteta was newly appointed as Arsenal manager and was tasked with rejuvenating a team in transition, while Frank Lampard’s Chelsea was in the race for a top-four finish. 

The game got off to a rocky start for Arsenal when David Luiz, formerly of Chelsea, was sent off for a last-man foul on Tammy Abraham after a defensive error from Shkodran Mustafi. Jorginho converted the resulting penalty, and it looked like Arsenal were in for a long night with 10 men. However, Arteta’s team demonstrated incredible spirit and resilience. 

Against the odds, Gabriel Martinelli scored a stunning solo goal, running the length of the field after a Chelsea corner to finish coolly slotted past Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Emirates erupted, and suddenly, it seemed like Arsenal could pull off an unlikely result. Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had won it for Chelsea with a late goal, but Hector Bellerin responded just three minutes later with a well-placed shot from outside the box to make it 2-2. Arsenal left Stamford Bridge with a hard-fought point, showcasing Arteta’s early influence on the team’s mentality and resilience.