98/99 wasn't in the period you were talking about, 04/05 United were the only realistic challenger to you, 09/10 again was just United, 10/11 neither really had a title challenge as Arsenal were always at a distance from United and you had an outside shot of challenging for about a week at the end. As I've said though, it's a rivalry with plenty of history and it takes ignorance to overlook that after a couple of seasons of competing for trophies with Chelsea. Just ask Arsenal fans whether they'd swap winning the league at WHL for OT or SB. It might be more difficult for Chelsea fans to understand but rivalries like the Manchester one and North London one are always important.
Of course they are. I'm not disputing that at all I said in my first post that Arsenal are your main rivals and always will be. Since Sky came in though no London Derby is as big as it was. All Chelsea fans know we don't have a main rival nor do we want one
Going off on a tangent, why is it Man Utd fans believe the only reason other fans don't like them is jealousy? Haven't they considered it may be because... * They tap up other teams' players, both first team and youth team * Their friends in the press unsettle other teams' players * They have a long list of players with a reputation for diving * Their players chase referees around the pitch - even the youth team does this * Bacon Face never gives credit to teams that beat his, just a list of excuses * Bacon Face can criticise referees all he wants, the other 19 Premier League managers can't * Bacon Face runs the Old Trafford press room like Stalin ran Pravda * Their fans' sense of entitlement * Their fans' obnoxiousness when you dare criticise their club * MOTD, ITV and sky forcing their matches down your throat * The way they operate above the laws of the game
YV in 04/05 Chelsea and Arsenal raced ahead of he pack. It was only when Rooney dived to end their unbeaten run they faded. Of course I understand the rivalries I think that's a touch patronising. I genuinely believe it meant more to Arsenal to win it at OT than WHL (at the time). Also I'm sure many United fans would much rather win the league at Anfield than at City
Back on subject, my hatred list would have to be... Man Utd Chelsea Liverpool West Ham Arsenal Leeds ...although West Ham is entirely based on their current owners. I never had issue with them before they turned up, but they're utterly obnoxious now. Similarly, I couldn't stand Bolton when Allardyce was there but have no issue now, and Newcastle could be annoying although their relegation gave their fans a reality check and they've calmed down a lot and their fans on our boards are both knowledgeable and good posters these days.
Interesting HBIC, how come United first? My list would be similar but obviously replacing Chelsea with Spurs and in a different order.
Its interesting to note the change in attitudes towards both Newcastle fans and the club since their relegation. Even though last season they were rivaling us for 4th place, there seems to be little if no animosity towards them. Prior to their relegation most of their fans were intolerable and I for one took great pleasure in their demise. Nowadays, I genuinely want them to do well, especially in finishing above Pool and Arsenal (hopefully).
You were telling us that we needed to be competing at the top in March to be in the title race not so long ago. Yet, Arsenal who scarcely got within 10 points of you from March onwards you considered a challenger to yourself in 04/05? It doesn't stack up. Sorry if you feel patronised but you yourself admit that Chelsea don't have a main rival and you've talked about Arsenal's main rival changing regularly due to short term competition between them and other teams. Rivalries in football are fueled by decades of history between the teams, not what happened in the last 5 years or what fits into a dictionary definition of the word. United have significant history and rivalries with Liverpool and City so whether they'd rather win the league at Anfield or the Etihad would change from supporter to supporter. That said I'd imagine most United fans would only have rathered win at Anfield for the 18th and 19th titles.
The Liverpool and Man Utd rivalry is of course fueled by some of the most obnoxious and hateful chanting in the sport. I know that it's a minority on each side, but it's a significant one, despite what they might claim.
They were the Champions though, we knew if we finished above them there was a good chance we'd win the league, they were the benchmark. It was only November we started to pull away. I don't disagree with you but I feel due to the superficiality of football these days via Sky and television broadcasting a lot of the history and knowledge is lost. This applies to the big 6 in particular or Sky 6 as I'd call them now. Tottenham and City are newer to the cartel and tend not to have as many follow ons and glory hunters as the others hence why their fans have more of a connection to the club. They have a higher % of match going fans than the others. Every Arsenal fan I know and I mean EVERY one bar one of my best mates who's dad is born and bred in North London hates Chelsea the most, I just don't get it. We are not their main rivals nor are they ours. It's the same with a lot of West Ham fans near me as well and even Spurs. Clubs like ours are far far bigger than they used to be and go beyond the local communities and even London itself. Due to that I feel a lot of the tradition is lost if you see what I mean.
God never made me make such a choice..so i dont see how the OP can..i hate them both with equal love.
Hello DL Just that bantersish kind of wish you destruction and bad fortune on the pitch kind of way of hatred. I, however will carry on to forsee the armistice till the 18th day of August
