Chelsea have become the first London club to win the Champions League. Does that make them more successful than both Spurs and Arsenal?
The magnitude of Chelsea’s historic Champions League victory is being felt across the capital.
Often looked down upon prior to the mid-nineties by their more successful rivals, the club have enjoyed a successful 15 years, but it was only when Jose Mourinho brought them their first league triumph in 2005 since 1955 that their new era really took off.
Seven years later, their top goal of winning the Champions League has finally been achieved, landing a blow to the pride of Arsenal fans, who had come so close in 2006 of being the first London club to win the trophy, while Tottenham were sent crashing out of next year’s competition without even kicking a ball.
What we are left digesting now, is what does it all mean?
When assessing who are the top club two factors should really be taken into account. The present day, and overall history. Neither cases are clear cut.
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Right now, who are the better side? Arsenal, Chelsea, or Spurs?
The Champions League is a fine competition, the greatest in Europe, but when it comes to an even playing field, it cannot match the Premier League.
In England, each team plays the other 19 twice, home and away, rather than having their opponents picked out of a pot.
You wouldn’t argue that league winners Manchester City have been the best team in England this year, so why dispute that Chelsea have been any better than sixth best?
The table never lies, they say, yet neither Arsenal or Tottenham have won a trophy this season, while Chelsea have two. So clearly the league alone cannot be judged as the sole barometer of a successful side.
Arsenal have not won a trophy in seven years, the 2005 FA Cup on this day in fact, while Tottenham won the Carling Cup in 2008.
Top Chelsea players never say they want to leave the club to fulfil their potential and win trophies, while this is exactly what is happening to Arsenal.
Ashley Cole’s defection in 2006 was controversial, but many say it marked a shift in power. After the final whistle in Munich he said: “No one can say nothing to me now,” illustrating his belief that he made the right decision.
One Champions League trophy, three FA Cups, and a league title later, it is hard to argue that he made a bad choice.
Arsenal fans will point to their overall history as being superior; they have 13 league titles and 10 FA Cups. Tottenham have two league titles and six FA Cups.
Chelsea have four league titles, and seven FA Cups, while all three have won the European Cup Winners Cup, only Chelsea have won the Champions League.
Arsenal clearly have a more glittering history, but does Chelsea’s CL triumph outweigh this?
Does the global stage of their triumph lift them above Arsenal due to the magnitude of it?
The issue of who is London’s top dogs can hinge on how relevant you believe titles in years gone by are compared to modern day European success.
But also on league position against cup success. However we guarantee Arsenal fans would swap third place for sixth and a Champions League trophy in an instance.
The debate will rage on. We’d like to hear your views. Vote in our poll and leave a comment on who you believe is the top club and why.
Who are the top club in London?
image: © Julian Mason
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