Could this Chelsea side emulate the legendary Arsenal team?
With Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho keen to play down talk that his current Blues side could emulate the famous Arsenal team of 2003/04 and go a whole season unbeaten, CaughtOffside takes a look at each player in the teams’ best XI’s and sees who looks stronger.
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Although it is a bit early to say how good this Chelsea team can be in comparison to one of the Premier League’s finest, there is so much quality in this squad that could be in good shape to dominate for some time.
Here’s a look at who’s stronger in each position:
GK: Jens Lehman vs Thibaut Courtois
Both great goalkeepers, but while Thibaut Courtois has shown some early promise, he is yet to truly prove himself in the way that Jens Lehmann did in many years of top service for Arsenal.
Vote: Lehmann
DR: Lauren vs Branislav Ivanovic
Although a strong right-back, Lauren is not the great all-round player that Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is, with the Serbian getting the nod here.
Vote: Ivanovic
DL: Ashley Cole vs Cesar Azpilicueta
Before becoming a great player for Chelsea, Ashley Cole was also a highly promising youngster at Arsenal, and reached new heights in the Invincibles season as he established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world.
Vote: Cole
DC: Sol Campbell vs Gary Cahill
Although Gary Cahill is well on his way to become one of the great Premier League centre-backs, he is not at Sol Campbell’s level yet, both in performance and his importance to his club at the time.
Vote: Campbell
DC: Kolo Toure vs John Terry
Kolo Toure had a fine season for Arsenal in 2003/04, but he never truly topped that form unlike Chelsea’s great long-serving leader John Terry.
Vote: Terry
MC: Patrick Vieira vs Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic may be a great defensive midfielder in top form at the moment, but Patrick Vieira is arguably the best of all time to fill that position in the Premier League era.
Vote: Vieira
MC: Edu vs Cesc Fabregas
Although Edu had a great season for Arsenal in 2003/04, he was still something of an inconsistent performer and not of the level that Cesc Fabregas – another former Gunner – looks for Chelsea right now.
Vote: Fabregas
MR: Freddie Ljungberg vs Eden Hazard
Two very different players, and while Freddie Ljubgberg was a major figure in Arsenal’s success, he is not quite the world class talent that Eden Hazard is at his best.
Vote: Hazard
ML: Robert Pires vs Andre Schurrle
Whether Andre Schurrle or Willian starting out wide for Chelsea, neither are quite in the same bracket as Gunners legend Robert Pires, who was superb for the north Londoners throughout his time at the club.
Vote: Pires
FC: Dennis Bergkamp vs Diego Costa
Again, two players who differ in playing style, but Chelsea’s in-form striker Diego Costa just gets the nod ahead of the legendary Dennis Bergkamp here, who was not quite at the peak of his game in 2003/04, and not as much of a goalscorer as the Spaniard.
Vote: Costa
FC: Thierry Henry vs Loic Remy
An easy contest here, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry a far more important and generally talented player than Chelsea’s second choice striker Loic Remy.
Vote: Henry
