Appreciating the Chelsea icon’s sensational record against Arsenal

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Sportem
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Chelsea face Arsenal in the Premier League this evening as London’s two most successful clubs go head-to-head again in the capital.

Arsenal are on an upward curve under Mikel Arteta and have challenged for the Premier League title this season, but it’s been a different story at Chelsea who are without a permanent manager and languishing in mid-table, despite a record-breaking spend.

It wasn’t all too long ago that Chelsea dominated this fixture, due in large part to the performances of one man. Didier Drogba proved a prolific presence in capital clashes between the teams, with the Ivorian boasting a formidable goalscoring record against the Gunners.

 

He scored 13 goals in just 15 appearances against Arsenal in all competitions, a haul which included some defining moments in his Chelsea career.

As the capital clubs renew rivalries tonight, we’ve looked back at Drogba’s sensational record against Arsenal.

Community Shield – One appearance, two goals

Drogba’s first goals against Arsenal had come in a 2005 Community Shield meeting between the sides. The campaign’s traditional curtain-raiser saw champions Chelsea face FA Cup winners Arsenal and it was Drogba who was the difference at the Millennium Stadium.

Drogba’s early opener set Chelsea on the way to the season’s first silverware as the Ivorian brought down Asier Del Horno’s long pass before finishing confidently past Jens Lehmann after eight minutes.

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He struck a second early in the second half, shrugging off the challenge of Philippe Senderos before keeping his feet to double Chelsea’s lead. Cesc Fabregas pulled one back for Arsenal, but Drogba’s double ensured Chelsea came out on top in Cardiff.


Premier League – 12 appearances, eight goals

Drogba’s first league goal against the Gunners came just two games into the 2005/06 season, as a fortuitous effort secured Chelsea their first league win over Arsenal since September 1995.

It began a prolific record against the north Londoners and dominance for Chelsea in the fixture, with the Blues beginning to emerge as the capital’s dominant club under Roman Abramovich’s ownership.

Drogba scored eight goals in just 12 Premier League appearances against Arsenal, including three braces. He scored four goals in just two games against Arsenal during the 2009/10 season, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored 103 goals on route to the Premier League title.

The first of those saw Drogba produce a devastating performance during a 3-0 win at the Emirates, turning in a clinical finish from Ashley Cole’s cross and firing home a fantastic free-kick.

Drogba ended that season as the league’s leading scorer with 29 goals from 32 appearances, securing a second Premier League Golden Boot accolade after first winning the award in 2006/07.

He also scored the winner against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final as Chelsea completed a domestic double.

FA Cup – One appearance, one goal

Drogba faced Arsenal just once in the FA Cup during his glittering career at Chelsea, but ensured it was a memorable occasion with yet another decisive contribution.

Chelsea had fallen behind to Theo Walcott’s early goal during the 2008/09 semi-final at Wembley, but turned the game around to reach the final.

Florent Malouda had levelled the game before half-time, before Drogba scored a late winner as extra-time approached. The forward raced onto Frank Lampard’s pass and beat Lukasz Fabianski to the loose ball to roll home a winner.

Drogba’s 84th-minute goal continued Chelsea’s impressive form under interim manager Guus Hiddink and the west Londoners went on to beat Everton in the decider.

League Cup – One appearance, two goals

Drogba’s cup final record is the stuff of legend at Chelsea, forging a reputation as the ultimate big-game player with nine goals in 10 major finals for the Blues.

Arsenal were on the receiving end of Drogba’s brilliance on the big occasion in 2007, as the forward’s brace earned Chelsea League Cup success in Cardiff.

Chelsea came from behind to win the League Cup in a tempestuous final at the Millennium Stadium, one which saw John Obi Mikel, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor all sent off as tempers flared in the closing stages.

Arsenal had led through Theo Walcott’s first goal for the club, as the 17-year-old kept his cool to open the scoring in the final.

Drogba, however, levelled just minutes later after beating the offside trap to collect Michael Ballack’s pass and slide a finish past Manuel Almunia.

The match-winning moment came six minutes before the end of normal time, as Drogba rose to power home a towering header from Arjen Robben’s cross for his 28th goal of the season.

Read – Iconic Performances: Kanu’s special hat-trick seals famous comeback win at Stamford Bridge

Read Also – Remembering just how special a 22-year-old Cesc Fabregas was in 2009/10

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