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Arsenal's Petr Cech on course for successive Premier League titles after Chelsea exit

Petr Cech and Eric Cantona
Image: Can Petr Cech emulate Eric Cantona and win back-to-back titles with different clubs?

Petr Cech helped Arsenal return to the top of the Premier League on Sunday - and in doing so moved a step closer to replicating a feat achieved only by Eric Cantona.

The former France striker became the first player to win back-to-back league titles with different clubs in the history of English football in 1993.

Now Cech, signed by Arsenal for £10m from last season's Premier League winners Chelsea, has an opportunity to do the same.

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While the defending champions continue to struggle in the bottom half of the table, a goalless draw at Stoke saw Arsenal move back to the summit on goal difference ahead of Leicester, with Manchester City a point further back in third.

Arsenal are searching for their first league win since 2003/04, while Cech won four Premier League titles during his 11-year stay at Chelsea.

Here, we look at four big-name players who have won back-to-back titles in the same division for different clubs…

Eric Cantona - Leeds (1991/92) and Manchester United (1992/93)

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Manchester United striker Eric Cantona during a Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on April 23, 1993
Image: Eric Cantona inspired Manchester United to their first Premier League win

Eric Cantona - a £900,000 signing from Marseille in 1991 - only managed three goals in Leeds' title-winning 1991/92 season but was a key figure in the team's success. The Frenchman continued that form into the following season, scoring hat-tricks against Liverpool in the Charity Shield and in a 5-0 league thrashing of Spurs.

Cantona's form attracted interest from Sir Alex Ferguson and a £1.2m deal brought him to Old Trafford. The signing was a huge success, kick-starting Manchester United's title challenge. They only lost two games after Cantona's November arrival and his nine goals helped them to their first league win in 26 years.

Andrea Pirlo - AC Milan (2010/11) and Juventus (2011/12)

TURIN, ITALY - MAY 13:  Andrea Pirlo of Juventus FC celebrates with the Serie A trophy after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at Juven
Image: AC Milan may regret releasing Andrea Pirlo - he helped Juventus to the title the following year

Andrea Pirlo is a legend at AC Milan but made just 17 Serie A appearances in his 10th and final season with the club. Shortly after lifting his second league title with the club it was announced Pirlo's contract would not be renewed, paving the way for a free transfer to Juventus.

The move was seen as something of a coup for Juve and so it proved, with Pirlo playing an instrumental role in their 2011/12 title win. Pirlo topped the assists chart in Italy in that campaign and went on to help his country to the final of Euro 2012 the following summer.

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Michael Laudrup - Barcelona (1993/94) and Real Madrid (1994/95)

Danish footballer Michael Laudrup playing for the Spanish club FC Barcelona, early 1990s. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Image: Michael Laudrup won four consecutive La Liga titles with Barcelona - and then won the league with Real Madrid

Few players cross the divide between Barcelona and Real Madrid but Michael Laudrup did just that in the mid-1990s - and enjoyed success at both clubs.

The Danish midfielder was a star man in Johan Cruyff's brilliant Barcelona team and won four La Liga titles in a row. However, a falling out with his manager led to Laudrup making the controversial move.

Laudrup was an instant hit at the Bernabeu, helping Real end Barca's dominance and reclaim the La Liga crown. Remarkably, Laudrup also helped Real to a 5-0 victory over Barcelona - the same scoreline by which his Barcelona team had beaten Real the previous year.    

Roberto Baggio - Juventus (1994/95) and AC Milan (1995/96)

Apr 1995:  Roberto Baggio of Juventus FC holds his arms aloft in celebration during the UEFA Cup semi-final against Borussia Dortmund at the Delle Alpi Sta
Image: Roberto Baggio won back-to-back titles with Juventus and AC Milan

Despite suffering with injury from November until March in the 1994/95 season, Roberto Baggio still played an important role in a memorable season for Juventus. The Old Lady won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup, with Baggio contributing eight goals and eight assists as they clinched the Scudetto.

An emerging Alessandro del Piero hastened Baggio's exit but Juventus' loss was AC Milan's gain, as Baggio went on to help his new side to the title, picking up the fans' player of the year prize along the way. 

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