Given the history behind Arsenal and Chelsea, every clash between these two London giants is always an eagerly awaited affair. Like any derby, whether it be the Manchester Derby, the Derby della Madonnina, O Classico, Le Classique, or any others around the world, a player that has done the "unthinkable" - that is, to switch between either side - will definitely be one who will be in for some special treatment from some hostile fans.
Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas has made a splash at Stamford Bridge as the Blues continue towards their first league title in 5 seasons. But before the Spanish international had linked up with Jose Mourinho's men, he had cut his teeth for eight seasons as a Gunner, even famously becoming the team's skipper during the 2008/2009 campaign.
The 27-year-old, who departed the Emirates in the summer of 2011 and spent three solid seasons with boyhood club Barcelona, made a return to London this past summer and will now face his former side for the first time as first-placed Chelsea take on second-placed Arsenal. It will certainly be the most entertaining Premier League clash of this weekend and arguably among the closely watched contests in European football.
Yet even before taking to the pitch, the arrival of the Spaniard has already got fans talking, and not all of them will be ready to welcome him with the same attitude of these lot did back in 2011:
Not all Arsenal fans will have the knives out for their former skipper, but you can bet quite a few will not be welcoming him warmly, either. Already, some have even gone so far as to demand the removal of a banner with the former captain on display due to his kissing of Chelsea's badge after his new team celebrated their Capital One Cup win last month.
Well, there are quite a few players who may know how Fabregas could be feeling right now. As the Spaniard prepares for a frosty reception during the eagerly anticipated battle between red and blue, here are a couple who in recent times will certainly have experienced Arsenal fans' wrath - albeit in different degrees.
Ashley Cole - Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006
Before arriving in Italy in what has been a difficult adjustment period and becoming the subject of memes for failing to settle with Roma, Ashley Cole was enjoying life as one of the best left-backs in world football with Chelsea. The English international, during a fruitful eight-year term with the 2012 Champions League winners, enjoyed countless success both at domestic and continental level, including a Europa League title in 2013, one Premier League title, and four FA cups among others.
Cole established himself as one of the premier full-backs in the world during a successful spell with Chelsea
Yet, prior to linking up with the Blues, he was a Gunner. Like Fabregas, he even spent a brief period - in his case about a season - with Arsenal's youth squad prior to making his full debut. Whilst with Wenger's side, he again enjoyed success - albeit not at the European level - and played a key role in their historic "Invincibles" squad that won the Premier League title during the 2003/2004 campaign.
Like Fabregas, Cole built his career at Arsenal and had a successful spell there at domestic level
Unfortunately, despite winning two league titles, three FA Cups, and a Community Shield with the club he apparently supported as a child, the very thing that has been referred as to the "root of all evil" came calling and his head was soon turned by promises of more silverware (and a cushier pay-packet).
How some upset Arsenal fans responded to "Cashley's" move to Stamford Bridge
As the story goes, Arsenal were apparently offering him wages of £55,000 per week, whilst Chelsea were prepared to offer nearly double that at £90,000 weekly. We all know how that concluded and Arsenal supporters would make their displeasure known when the two sides met on December 10, 2006.
Cole, though, is especially notable due to the fact that he is the only player in recent times to make a "direct" switch from Arsenal to Chelsea. Before him, there was Tommy Baldwin in 1966, who was involved in a part-swap with Chelsea's George Graham, Allan Young in 1961 as well asTommy Docherty also in the same year.
Nicolas Anelka - Arrived at Chelsea from Arsenal in 2008 via way of Spain, France, Turkey, Manchester, and Liverpool
If there is one player that has literally been around the world and back, it is former French international Nicolas Anelka. The enigmatic 36-year-old, who was last plying his trade with newly created Indian Super League side Mumbai City, has played for clubs in England, Italy, France, Turkey, Spain and even China prior to trying his luck in India.
Well, prior to finding himself with Shanghai Shenhua, Anelka first cut his teeth in the Premier League as one of Wenger's new signings. All in all, he netted 23 times in 65 league appearances for the Gunners, but despite playing a key role in their title-winning 1997/1998 campaign, his indifferent attitude soon began to wear on fans and he would find himself out and off to Real Madrid.
Despite being Arsenal's top marksman during the 1998/1999 season, fans turned on Anelka, giving him the nickname "Le Sulk" prior to his departure for Real Madrid
Fortunately for him, perhaps, by the time he arrived at Chelsea it would be exactly a decade later and Arsenal fans had moved on to worry themselves about more pressing matters. Suffice it to say, he certainly did not experience the same level of abuse that Cole did and what Fabregas might be in for in the eagerly-anticipated derby later today.
Anelka would go on to link up with Chelsea ten seasons after appearing in a Gunners kit
Emmanuel Petit - From London to Barcelona and then back to London
Fabregas, in fact, is not the first to journey back to London by way of Barcelona. In fact, Anelka's countryman, retired midfielder Emmanuel Petit did just that during the late 90's into the earlier part of this century. A successful spell with Monaco earned him a move to Arsenal to re-unite with Wenger, with whom he had worked whilst in Ligue 1. In his three seasons in London, he made over 100 appearances, scored 11 goals in all competitions, and won the Premier League in his debut season.
A fruitless and frustrating time with the Catalan giants gave way to a move to Chelsea, but unlike compatriot Anelka he failed to win any silverware and after being released by the Blues, decided to hang up his boots after a difficult knee operation.
So, as yet another ex-Gunner prepares to head back to his old stomping ground, expect him to receive a "unique" welcome from Arsenal's home crowd. And as to whether he prove to be a hero for his new side and a villain for his old side, it will truly be interesting to see.
Will Fabregas come back to haunt Arsenal? Chelsea fans will hope yes; Gunners supporters, certainly not!
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