Forget for a second the two red cards, the face washes from Diego Costa and the petulance of what was 22, then 20 grown men. Arsenal versus Chelsea is a London clash low on love, high on hostility. The capitals most successful clubs throw down their riches on a pitch in a coddled neighbourhood in the far west of Her Majesty’s favourite city.

Saturday wasn’t about any of that. It was about two men, two leaders who’s stats mirror each other, as much as they would wish to never be compared. Arsène Wenger is Arsenal’s manager, going on his 20th year in charge of the Gunners. He’s the longest tenured Premier League manager, and it’s not even close. The Frenchman has brought Arsenal their grandest successes, three premier league trophies and a Champions League final appearance.

Just 15 feet from him in the opposing dugout is a man who has the same job title, but couldn’t be more different. José Mourinho is a Portuguese tactician who is as creative on the pitch as he is with his words. Have you heard the term mind games? He created it. He’s in his second stint with Chelsea, the first bearing two Premier League trophies and the resurgence of London’s forgotten club. His second go of it at the helm of the Blues lead him to equal Wenger’s three league trophies last year. They are equals, if only on paper.

If the rules of football were a metal stick, José would not bend it, he would melt it down and re-create his own shape. Arsène does everything the right way, building a healthy club built around beautiful passing and players who put the squad before themselves. José has been at four clubs in his career, winning league titles at every stop. He is the embodiment of modern football, a mercenary gifted with blank cheques at every club to bring success no matter the competition.

Arsène has never defeated José in the Premier League, and since Mourinho took over Chelsea in 2004, Arsenal have yet to return to the mountain top. Title-less for eleven years. Every time they meet it’s hard not to notice the disdain on their faces when they shake hands before the match and rarely do they even acknowledge each other after the 90 minutes are up. Saturday was no different, an enraged Wenger storming down the tunnel at the echo of the final whistle, Mourinho smirking in his seat, listening to Stamford Bridge in full voice.

Arsène may never beat José, and maybe he never needs to. His legacy is to the people of North London, not the West. He has brought them success beyond their wildest dreams and transformed the club into a world power. José is a hitman, who has Arsenal’s number, whether you like it or not.