The Premier League has been blessed with some of the best football talents in the world. While recent stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Alexis Sanchez have charmed us with their play and ability, the league has also seen its fair share of legends that have either retired or gone off to sunnier shores.
There was a time not too long ago when every club had that one midfield general that would take the game by the scruff of its neck and drag their team to victory. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea fans will have that one midfielder’s name ringing in their heads. Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane and Frank Lampard are legends in their own right for starring in the Premier League for years on end. Though none of the players had the same skillset, you could bet that if a team ever needed a pick-me-up, these four would literally tear up the ground to ensure that.
Four legends at the big four
Before the rise of Manchester City and Tottenham, to an extent, the Premier League was dominated by the big four, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool were always fighting for the top four positions and that was more so thanks to the exploits of these midfielders.
Steven Gerrard
While Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard will be remembered by their fans for the important goals they scored for the Reds and Blues. Manchester United and Arsenal fans will highlight that their two talismanic players didn’t score the goals but were midfield rocks ensuring the opposition didn’t get a kick in the game.
Tempers did often flair between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, sometimes it even went overboard with the competition between the two players but they were some of the best defensive midfielders in the world during their prime.
Roy Keane made more than 450 appearances for Manchester United and was known for his combativeness and ability to keep the opposition out by marshalling the midfield. His fierce battle with Vieira will be remembered for years and he did score 51 goals for Manchester United, but the way he departed Manchester United after a bit of a bust-up with Ferguson will always be a sour point in his career, that and the horror tackle on Manchester City’s Haaland in 2001 which saw him getting multiple bans. Keane, however, was one of the most competitive players ever and has had a decent career in management as he works with the Republic of Ireland. He also won almost every single thing there is to win at club level though he isn’t the most cherished player by the United supporters.
Patrick Vieira-Roy Keane Clash
Keane’s long-term advisory, Patrick Vieira might not have done as much damage to players on the pitch, but he still was a rock in midfield for Arsenal. He was so brilliant for the Gunners that they still are searching for an able replacement despite Vieira leaving the club in 2005. Vieira made his name at Arsenal and enjoyed a few seasons at Juventus, Inter Milan and Manchester City; it is in the blue half of Manchester where he has taken up a senior role in the management. Vieira was known to be a combative midfielder who would not give up; he also had great vision and distribution and was one of the most physical players to have graced the Premier League. Tactically intelligent and strength still makes him one of the best to have graced the game under Arsene Wenger. He has even been linked with a coaching job at Arsenal in hopes of taking over from Wenger when the French manager does retire from his role at the Gunners.
Shifting base to another team from London and one of Arsenal’s bigger rivals, Chelsea have had a legend in their team as well with the likes of Frank Lampard knocking goals in from almost everywhere on the pitch. The former West Ham player had a habit of being in the right place at the right time. It was his timing more than anything that got him the goals and he had a mean right foot when it came to scoring from free-kicks. Lampard has over 200 goals for Chelsea and made more than 600 appearances for the blues and while most still consider him a legend, the fact that he moved away from the club to play in the MLS and then ended up on loan at Manchester City still does leave a bad taste in the mouth, of course, Lampard didn’t want to leave City, Jose Mourinho also had a role to play in the midfielder not being given more time at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard
While Lampard tried to play in midfield for England as well, his partner during that phase was Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, whom everyone remembers from that Istanbul night in the UEFA Champions League. A player who could tackle, score and pretty much do everything on the pitch, Gerrard never really won enough laurels at Liverpool. The Liverpool captain for many years bid an emotional goodbye to the club last season as he went off to play in the MLS and although there have been rumours of him coming back for a loan spell, that seems too farfetched to actually take place. A leader of men, Liverpool have struggled to find a replacement for Gerrard and seem to miss his authoritative figure, something that Jurgen Klopp would love at the moment.
The reality is that none of the four teams mentioned have been able to replace what essentially were their heartbeats for many years. Players come and players go, they put on jerseys and might even play in the same positions as mentioned above but they cannot replace the passion, determination and love they had for the clubs as these four legends gave it all and much more to ensure history and supporters remember them for what they were, Legends.
Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what could prove decisive for the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions. Arsenal sit top of the table with 61 points from 28 matches, five points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while Chelsea occupy 7th with 45 points after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
This represents a huge opportunity for Mikel Arteta’s side to put further distance between themselves and the chasing pack before facing Brighton away on Wednesday. Chelsea arrive at the Emirates in patchy form under Liam Rosenior, who has won just two of his eight league matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January despite an encouraging start to his tenure.
Kick-off: 4:30 GMT, Sunday, March 1, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
Kai Havertz Returns to Haunt Former Club
Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that Kai Havertz will train on Saturday ahead of the Chelsea clash, giving the German a chance to feature against his former employers. Havertz has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early February, but scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 Carabao Cup semi final victory over Chelsea earlier this month.
The 26 year old has endured a nightmare campaign with injuries limiting him to just 158 Premier League minutes this season, though he has still managed two goals and two assists when available. Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Havertz’s absence, scoring twice in the 4-1 North London Derby demolition of Tottenham last weekend.
Rosenior Yet to Face Top Six Opposition
Liam Rosenior faces his first test against a top six side in the league since taking charge of Chelsea, having only faced teams sitting 7th or lower during his opening eight matches. His winning run needs proper context, given the quality of opposition, with recent dropped points against Leeds and Burnley at Stamford Bridge exposing serious vulnerabilities.
Arteta has beaten Rosenior twice already this season in the two legged Carabao Cup semi final, and the Spanish manager will fancy his chances of completing a treble over the Chelsea boss. Bukayo Saka should be fit despite limping off late against Spurs, while Ben White remains doubtful with a niggle.
Predicted Lineups: Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Disasi, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Also read: Kai Havertz Injury Update: Real Timeline and Medical Details Revealed!
Arsenal Dragon
Update Given Following Arsenal Injury Scare as Olivia Smith Discharged From Hospital After Being Stretchered Off During FA Cup Win Over Bristol City
Arsenal star Olivia Smith has been discharged from hospital after being stretchered off the field during their Women’s FA Cup game against Bristol City. The forward, who joined the Gunners in the summer, played just under an hour before being forced off with pictures showing a neck brace around the 21 year old at Meadow Park.
This was a worrying moment for Arsenal supporters watching on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian international went down, receiving lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as a precaution. Thankfully, the injury appears to be far less serious than initially feared.
Left Hospital Yesterday Evening
According to Arsenal reporter Tim Stillman, Olivia Smith left the hospital yesterday evening after tests were run and will return to be assessed this week ahead of the March international break. This is brilliant news for Arsenal, who cannot afford to lose Smith for any length of time, given her importance to the team.
It is believed that her involvement with Canada is still up in the air, with the Canucks facing a triple header of friendlies against Colombia, Argentina, and the United States over the coming two weeks. Arsenal’s next match sees them face London City Lionesses in mid March.
Big Boost for Champions League Hopes
With no video available for Arsenal’s cup game against Bristol City, there was huge concern surrounding Smith’s condition for those unable to attend the game at Meadow Park. Thankfully, what seemed initially to be a severe injury has turned out to be a fairly minor incident.
While Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo are both more than capable options to lead the line, it has been Smith who has been Renee Slegers’ favoured choice and proven to be a brilliant signing since her arrival from Liverpool. Having Smith likely available for both legs of the Chelsea Champions League quarter final is a massive boost for Arsenal’s hopes of retaining their European crown.
Arsenal
Arsenal Star Named WSL Player of the Month for January as Midfielder Continues Outstanding Form Following 400th Appearance Milestone
Kim Little has been named January’s Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month, recognition that follows her 400th appearance for Arsenal. The captain has made an outstanding start to 2026, completing every minute in the WSL and helping secure two clean sheets and four points from fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Little drove the midfield against United in the 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium and was again pivotal in the disciplined defensive display at Stamford Bridge that delivered that historic 2-0 win over the Blues. This is absolutely deserved recognition for one of Arsenal’s most influential players, who continues to perform at the highest level despite being 35 years old.
400th Appearance Came in Belgium
Little’s landmark 400th appearance came in Belgium as Arsenal won 4-0 at OH Leuven to close in on a Champions League London derby with Chelsea. The Scottish playmaker came on as a second half substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Olivia Smith, to reach 400 appearances.
This achievement is even more notable given the time she spent playing in the USA and Australia during her career. Little has become one of the defining figures of the modern Arsenal era, establishing herself as an absolute legend at the club.
Chelsea Awaits in Champions League Quarterfinals
Provided nothing dramatic unfolds at Meadow Park next week, Chelsea awaits in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Arsenal hold a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg and are overwhelming favorites to progress to a mouth watering London derby in the last eight.
Little will be central to Arsenal’s hopes of defending their Champions League crown, with the midfielder’s experience and leadership qualities proving invaluable during the knockout stages of major competitions. Her consistent performances continue to set the standard for everyone around her.
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