Arsenal sit joint top of the Premier League table after 12 matches while their London rivals Chelsea are fifth from bottom and under huge pressure.
The bitter rivalry between Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho has been one of the most captivating stories of the last few years, but it could soon come to an end if the axe falls at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho’s job as Chelsea manager is hanging by a thread and if Roman Abramovich pulls the trigger, he would become the 12th manager to be replaced in west London since Wenger’s appointment at Arsenal just over 19 years ago.
Chelsea are on a worse run of form than Arsenal have ever suffered during various ‘crises’ under Wenger. Last season’s champions have lost seven of their 12 Premier League fixtures this term, leaving them down in 16th in the table as Abramovich ponders whether or not to sack Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are joint top of the Premier League with Manchester City and look like genuine contenders to win their first title since the Invincibles in 2004.
If the boot was on the other foot, there is absolutely no doubt that Mourinho would have a field day and take every opportunity to poke fun at Wenger.
Wenger, while undoubtedly enjoying Mourinho’s discomfort, has remained dignified when asked about his old enemy in recent weeks and called a truce to their constant verbal jousting.
Maybe it’s because he knows he looks set to have the last laugh if Mourinho’s second spell at Stamford Bridge comes to an early end.
Wenger has been under fire so many times at Arsenal and less than a year ago faced that famous ‘thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye’ banner away at West Brom.
The Frenchman, though, always manages to turn the tide, stay afloat and win the fans over again. Never has he allowed it to descend to the depths to which Chelsea have plummeted over the last three months from champions to chumps.
There is an art to dealing with such situations, almost a romance given Wenger’s philosophy and his contribution to Arsenal. He is committed to an attacking style, to developing players and to the club’s model of spending only what they earn.
Mourinho has teased Wenger for having the “dream job” because he has the stability to “wait and wait” to bring success back to the north London club without the risk of being sacked.
Yet even Wenger’s staying power would be brought into question if he went on a run similar to Mourinho’s current spell.
Now, the Portuguese will be hoping that Abramovich copies the Arsenal model and backs the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history through the most challenging period of his career.
Mourinho has appeared increasingly obsessed with Wenger and his stadium ban for Saturday’s defeat to Stoke in part came about because of his rant towards Jon Moss that “Wenger is right about you”.
Last month Mourinho described Wenger as “the one who can speak about the referees before the game, after the game, can push people in the technical area, can moan, can cry in the morning, in the afternoon, and nothing happens. He cannot achieve [success] and keep his job, still be the king. I say just one.”
Wenger cannot boast the same bulging trophy haul as Mourinho but he has still won three Premier League titles, five FA Cups and led the Gunners to their only Champions League final.
He has also overseen the club’s financially restrictive move to the Emirates Stadium and if it wasn’t for the game-changing purchase of Chelsea and Manchester City by billionaire owners, Wenger’s CV would perhaps be more impressive.
Wenger’s legacy will be about his longevity as much as his successful sides on the pitch.
To persevere for 19 years he has responded to several challenges and seen off dozens of competitors.
For the first time in many years, Arsenal now look ready to compete for the title. Wenger has rebuilt the team over the last three years, adding steel to a notoriously shaky defence and star quality up front in Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Wenger is under contract until 2017 but there would be no better way for the 66-year-old to bow out than by winning Arsenal’s first title in 12 years next summer.
It would make it even sweeter that he would do it by deposing Chelsea and Mourinho.
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