The rivalry between Arsenal and Chelsea has grown stronger over the years but this hasn’t stopped several players from transferring between the two clubs.
Several star players, such as Jorginho, Willian, Ashley Cole, Cesc Fabregas, Petr Cech, and Olivier Giroud among others, have had the opportunity to play for both Chelsea and Arsenal.
In this article, we will examine the players who have had the privilege of representing both London clubs throughout their illustrious histories.
Kai Havertz ( Chelsea 2020- 2023 and Arsenal 2023-present)
On June 28, 2023, Havertz completed his transfer to Arsenal from Chelsea for a fee of approximately £65 million.
The German is now poised to follow in the footsteps of many prominent figures by making the transfer.
Havertz has played 139 matches wearing the Blue jersey, during which he has scored 32 goals and provided 15 crucial assists.
Havertz achieved great success with Chelsea, winning the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, the 2021 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
He played a crucial role in these victories, scoring the winning goals in the Champions League final and FIFA Club World Cup.
Additionally, he provided an assist for his teammate Hakim Ziyech’s goal in the UEFA Super Cup.
Jorginho (Chelsea 2018-2023 and Arsenal 2023-present)
Jorginho made his move to Chelsea from Napoli for a significant fee of £57 million and wasted no time in establishing himself as a crucial member of the Chelsea squad.
During his five-year tenure at Stamford Bridge, the midfielder made a total of 143 appearances, scoring 21 goals and even serving as the club’s captain on several occasions.
He subsequently joined Arsenal, a Premier League team in pursuit of the title, in January.
During his time there, he played in 14 matches and contributed to Mikel Arteta’s efforts to win the championship, although their endeavors ultimately fell short.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal 2018-2022 and Chelsea 2022-present)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, after a successful four-year tenure with Arsenal that included winning the FA Cup, mutually agreed to part ways with the club.
In January 2022, he made a move to Barcelona during the winter transfer window.
However, the Gabonese striker’s time at the Camp Nou was short-lived, as Chelsea signed him on a two-year deal in September 2022.
Auba has played a total of 21 matches for Chelsea, during which he has scored 3 goals and provided just 1 assist.
Willian (Chelsea 2013-2020 and Arsenal 2020-2021)
In 2020, Willian made a move to Arsenal from Chelsea, where he had spent a total of seven years.
He made a total of 234 appearances for the Blues and achieved multiple Premier League titles during his time with the team.
The Brazilian winger, unfortunately, only managed to score one goal for the Gunners before mutually parting ways with the club just a year after joining.
David Luiz (Chelsea 2011-2014 and then again from 2016-2019. Arsenal 2019-2021.
David Luiz, who has recently played for the two clubs, is a player who has experienced both highs and lows.
Luiz had two spells at Chelsea and experienced great success at Stamford Bridge.
During his time there, he won the Premier League title, Champions League, two Europa Leagues, and two FA Cups.
After joining Arsenal in 2019, he managed to win another trophy. Despite a poor performance against Man City, he quickly turned things around and emerged as a hero by winning the FA Cup just weeks later.
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal 2012-2018 and Chelsea 2018-2021)
Olivier Giroud had a successful eight-year tenure at Arsenal, where he achieved significant milestones such as winning three FA Cups with the Gunners.
He played for Arsenal for five-and-a-half seasons at the Emirates.
Before his move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day in 2018, he had scored 73 goals in 180 Premier League games.
The striker subsequently emerged as a crucial player for the Blues, contributing significant goals and playing a vital role as a valued member of the team.
During this time, he achieved success by winning another FA Cup, as well as the prestigious Champions League and Europa League titles with the club.
Petr Cech (Chelsea 2004-2015 and Arsenal 2015-2019)
Petr Cech has had a remarkable 15-year career in England, playing for both Chelsea and Arsenal.
He made a total of 494 appearances for the Blues, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League, and Europa League during his time with the team.
The goalkeeper subsequently transferred to the Emirates and achieved another FA Cup victory, although they also experienced defeats in the League Cup and Europa League finals.
Cech has retired and recently made a return to Stamford Bridge in the capacity of a technical and performance advisor. He was let go after Todd Boehly and co took over Chelsea in 2022.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal 2003-2011 and Chelsea 2014-2019)
Cesc Fabregas made a significant impact on the Premier League during his teenage years with the Gunners.
He spent a successful eight seasons with the club before transferring to Barcelona in 2011.
Fabregas returned to England three seasons later to join Chelsea. Throughout four-and-a-half seasons, he achieved the remarkable feat of winning two league titles.
In 2019, the Spanish playmaker left the Blues and joined Monaco, where his former teammate Thierry Henry was the manager at that time.
William Gallas (Chelsea 2001-2006 and Arsenal 2006-2010)
William Gallas enjoyed a successful five-year stint at Stamford Bridge, where he secured two Premier League titles.
He later made a move to north London as part of a deal that involved Ashley Cole heading in the opposite direction.
The central defender had a five-season tenure at Arsenal before making a transfer to their fierce rivals in north London, Tottenham.
Ashley Cole (Arsenal 1999-2006 and Chelsea 2006-2014)
Ashley Cole successfully emerged from the Arsenal youth ranks, achieving notable accomplishments such as winning the Premier League twice, securing the FA Cup three times, and reaching the Champions League final.
Cole was a crucial member of the Gunners’ renowned ‘Invincibles’ team, which achieved the remarkable feat of going undefeated throughout the entire 2003-2004 season to secure the title.
He finally completed his transfer to Chelsea in 2006, after a long process.
During his time at Chelsea, he achieved great success, winning another league title, four FA Cups, the League Cup, Europa League, and the Champions League.
Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea 2010-2013 and Arsenal 2011/12 season)
In 2010, Chelsea signed Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for a fee of £5.5 million.
However, despite his talent as a midfielder, Benayoun was seldom allowed to showcase his skills during his three seasons at the club.
He made a total of 24 appearances in all competitions and was later loaned to Arsenal. During his time at Arsenal, he played in 19 matches and scored four goals.
Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal 1997-1999 and Chelsea from 2008-2012)
Nicolas Anelka was signed by Arsene Wenger at the age of 17 from Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of £500,000.
During his time at Arsenal, Anelka managed to score 23 goals in 65 Premier League games.
Real Madrid expressed interest in him, and he was subsequently signed for a fee of £22.3 million in 1999. He then went on to play for five additional clubs before eventually joining Chelsea in 2008.
Arguably, he had the best spell of his career at Stamford Bridge, where he scored an impressive 59 goals in 125 games.
His remarkable performance also contributed to his team’s success in winning the Premier League title and securing two FA Cups.
Lassana Diarra (Chelsea 2005-2007 and Arsenal 2007-2008)
Lassana Diarra joined Chelsea at the age of 20 in 2005, but faced challenges in securing regular playing opportunities due to the presence of Claude Makelele.
He made only 31 appearances before being sold to Arsenal on the transfer deadline day in 2007.
Regrettably, the situation did not improve at the Emirates. After a mere five months with the Gunners, he was subsequently sold to Portsmouth.
Emmanuel Petit (Arsenal 1997-2000 and Chelsea 2001-2004)
After joining Arsenal in 1997, Emmanuel Petit had a highly successful tenure with the club.
In his first season, he played a crucial role in helping Arsenal secure both the league title and the FA Cup, achieving a remarkable double.
The French World Cup winner spent a season at Barcelona before transferring to Chelsea in 2001, where he played for the remaining three seasons of his career.
David Rocastle (Arsenal 1985-1993 and Chelsea 1994 -1998)
The English midfielder started his professional career at Arsenal in 1985. He played for seven seasons, during which he won the English league twice, one League Cup, and a Community Shield.
He joined Chelsea in 1994 and remained with the club until 1998. However, during the last three seasons of his contract, he was sent on loan to other teams.
Other Footballers who played for Arsenal and Chelsea from Sandy MacFarlane to Colin Pates
Sandy MacFarlane played for Arsenal during the 1896-1897 season and later joined Chelsea for the 1913-1914 season.
Jimmy Sharp played for Arsenal from 1905 to 1908 and for Chelsea from 1912 to 1915.
Bob Turnbull played for Arsenal during the 1923-1924 season and then joined Chelsea, where he played from 1925 to 1928.
Tommy Docherty played for Arsenal from 1958 to 1961 and then joined Chelsea for the 1961-1962 season.
Allan Young played for Arsenal from 1959 to 1961 and then joined Chelsea, where he played from 1961 to 1969.
Tommy Baldwin played for Arsenal from 1964 to 1966, and then joined Chelsea where he played from 1966 to 1974.
Graham Rix played for Arsenal from 1975 to 1988 and later joined Chelsea in 1995.
Clive Allen played for Arsenal in 1980 and later joined Chelsea for the 1991-1992 season.
Peter Nicholas played for Arsenal from 1981 to 1983 and then joined Chelsea from 1988 to 1991.
Tommy Lawton played for Chelsea from 1945 to 1947 and for Arsenal from 1953 to 1955.
Bill Dickson played for Chelsea from 1947 to 1953 and then transferred to Arsenal, where he played from 1953 to 1956.
John Hollins played for Chelsea from 1963 to 1975 and again from 1983 to 1984. He also played for Arsenal from 1979 to 1983.
George Graham played for Chelsea from 1964 to 1966 and then went on to play for Arsenal from 1966 to 1972.
Alan Hudson played for Chelsea from 1969 to 1974 and again from 1983 to 1984. He also played for Arsenal from 1976 to 1978.
Colin Pates played for Chelsea from 1979 to 1988 and Arsenal from 1990 to 1993.
