- Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be fighting for important points this weekend
- is a small group of players whose careers have crossed one of English football’s most intense rivalries between cities
- Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in Premier League history and is perhaps the most iconic entry among players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea
As Arsenal gets ready to play Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the best players who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea. This is a small group of players whose careers have crossed one of English football’s most intense rivalries between cities.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea will be fighting for important points this weekend, and fans are looking forward to another chapter in this famous rivalry. The game is the perfect time to look back at the stars who have played for both teams in London.
London’s Divided Loyalties: A Unique Footballing Path
It’s always controversial to switch from one rival club to another, but the road between north and west London has led to some interesting careers. There are a lot of top players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League era. Many of them had a big impact on the league, the city, and their fans.
Below is a detailed look at the stars who have crossed the divide, including legends, villains, cult heroes, and everything in between. Each has their own story of success, struggle, or reinvention on both sides of London.
1. Ashley Cole: The Most Famous (or Infamous) Crossover
Ashley Cole is one of the best left-backs in Premier League history and is perhaps the most iconic entry among players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea. When he moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006, it caused a lot of anger among Gunners fans, who called him “Cashley” after the famous tapping-up scandal.
At Arsenal:
Cole became well-known as part of Arsène Wenger’s revolution in the early 2000s. He came from the Hale End academy. He was a key player for the Invincibles in 2003–04, bringing together speed, aggression, and world-class defensive smarts.
At Chelsea:
But Cole became a legend at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, the Premier League, and a record seven FA Cups. Football fans still think that his performances as a full-back in the 2012 Champions League season are some of the best ever.
Even though there is a lot of debate about it, most people agree that Cole is one of the best players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea and done well at the highest level.
2. Cesc Fàbregas – The Midfield Metronome
Cesc Fàbregas is another great player who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea. He started as a teenage prodigy at Arsenal and then became the team’s heartbeat in midfield. After a spell at Barcelona, he stunned Arsenal fans by choosing Chelsea when he came back to the Premier League.
At Arsenal:
Fàbregas became the team’s captain, leader, and creative force, making some of the best assists and goals in the league. Arsenal fans loved him because they saw him as the perfect example of what the club stood for.
At Chelsea:
There was a lot of talk about his move to Stamford Bridge, but he quickly won over Blues fans by winning the Premier League title in his first season and forming a deadly partnership with Diego Costa. He was irreplaceable because of how well he could see and pass the ball. Chelsea fans still love him.
Fàbregas is one of the best midfielders on the list of players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea. He left a big mark on both clubs.
3. Olivier Giroud: The Underrated Superstar
Olivier Giroud is one of the most underrated strikers of his generation, but he has had a lot of success for both club and country. He is also a well-known example of a player who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
At Arsenal:
The French forward played in north London for six years, scoring more than 100 goals and winning three FA Cups. His amazing scorpion kick goal is still one of the most famous in Premier League history.
At Chelsea:
In 2018, Giroud moved to the other side of London, where he became an important player in cup and European competitions. His goals were very important to Chelsea’s 2019 Europa League win, including a memorable goal against Arsenal in the final. He also played a big part in the team’s 2021 Champions League win. The Frenchman is one of the top players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
4. Petr Čech, the legendary goalkeeper
Petr Čech is considered one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. He had a great career at Chelsea before making a surprising move to Arsenal late in his playing days. He is one of the most decorated players to have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
At Chelsea:
Four Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, several FA Cups, and a lot of individual awards are all in Čech’s trophy case. His helmet-wearing figure is still a well-known part of the Premier League’s visual history.
At Arsenal:
Čech joined the Gunners at the end of his career, but he brought experience and leadership. He won another FA Cup in 2017 against Chelsea, which is funny because he was on the team that beat Chelsea. He also helped stabilize Arsenal’s defense during a time of change.
After he retired, Čech also became Chelsea’s Technical Director. This added a new twist to his unique position as one of the top players who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
5. David Luiz: The Wildcard Defender
David Luiz is one of the most fun, unpredictable, and talented football players. He is now officially on the list of players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea because of his time at both clubs.
At Chelsea:
Luiz won the Champions League, the Europa League (twice), the Premier League, and the FA Cup over the course of two different periods. Football fans loved him for his long passes and flashy style, but he could also be annoying at times.
At Arsenal:
Luiz joined Arsenal in 2019 and had some great moments but also some bad defensive plays. He did help Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2020, though, and people respected him for being a good leader behind the scenes. He is still one of the most well-known players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
6. Nicolas Anelka, the Nomadic Talent
Nicolas Anelka is another well-known player who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea. He is a talented forward with great technical skills.
At Arsenal:
Anelka’s time at Arsenal was short but very exciting. He signed as a teenager and helped the team win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998. Then he got a huge transfer to Real Madrid.
At Chelsea:
Anelka came back to the Premier League with Chelsea after spending time in other countries. He won the Golden Boot in 2009 and worked well with Didier Drogba. He has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, and his career path has taken him to many places.
7. Willian—the short-lived switch
Fans talked a lot about Willian‘s move from Chelsea to Arsenal, which makes him one of the most recent players to have played for both teams.
At Chelsea:
He was one of the most dependable wingers in the middle of the 2010s. He won two Premier League titles and became known for his speed, dribbling, and ability to take free kicks.
At Arsenal:
However, his time at Arsenal was not as successful; he only played there for one season before ending his contract. Even though he only stayed for a short time, his move keeps him on the long list of players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
8. Lassana Diarra – The Talented Traveller
Lassana Diarra isn’t as well-known as some other players, but he is still one of the few who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
At Chelsea:
Diarra had a hard time for a few minutes in a midfield full of stars, but he showed flashes of his talent.
At Arsenal:
He also didn’t stay at Arsenal for very long, just a few months before moving to Portsmouth. Still, he is one of the many players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the modern era.
Honorable Mentions
There have been a few other football players who have crossed the line, but they haven’t had as big of an effect:
- Jorginho
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Kai Havertz
- Raheem Sterling
- Yossi Benayoun
- William Gallas
- Emmanuel Petit
- George Graham (as player and later manager)
Each of them adds to the long list of players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Why Do So Many Players Go Between the Two Clubs?
It’s interesting that so many players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea have switched teams. There are a few reasons for this:
1. Geographical Proximity
London-based players often prefer staying in the city, especially late in their career.
2. Competitive Ambition
Both clubs have alternated dominance over the past three decades. A move can offer a fresh start, a bigger role, or a chance at trophies.
3. Tactical Fit
Both clubs’ managers often prefer technical, smart footballers, which makes the talent profiles match up.
4. Transfer Opportunity
From Ashley Cole’s contract saga to Fàbregas’ Barcelona departure, many moves were simply timing-dependent.
No matter what the reason, more and more players have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Conclusion
The intense rivalry between two of England’s biggest clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea, is back in the news as they get ready to play each other this weekend. But there is a strange but interesting shared history beneath the rivalry, one that many players have written about who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The stories of two giants are intertwined in their careers, adding depth, drama, brilliance, and controversy to every game between them. These players changed the Premier League in ways that will never be forgotten, from Ashley Cole’s explosive move to Giroud’s heroic play in Europe to Fàbregas’ midfield magic to Čech’s masterclass in goalkeeping.
This weekend’s game is another chapter in the ongoing story. It shows that even though clubs may be rivals, their histories are often connected.
