Arsenal vs. Chelsea has become a tense rivalry during the course of the Premier League era as the London sides compete to be the biggest team in the capital.
The Gunners and the Blues are the only two London teams to win the league title since 1992. Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to three titles while Chelsea have lifted the trophy five times, which is only bettered by Manchester United (13) and Manchester City (7).
Kai Havertz is set to become the next player to have played for both English clubs as the Germany international prepares for a transfer to Mikel Arteta's side. The 24-year-old has struggled at Chelsea but has not given up in the Premier League.
The Sporting News looks at players who have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
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How many players have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea?
Here are a list of the 13 players to have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea during the Premier League era. The years in bold indicate which club the player played for first.
| Player | Years at Arsenal | Years at Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel Petit | 1997-2000 | 2001-2004 |
| Nicolas Anelka | 1997-1999 | 2008-2012 |
| Ashley Cole | 1999-2006 | 2006-2014 |
| William Gallas | 2006-2010 | 2001-2006 |
| Cesc Fabregas | 2003-2011 | 2014-2019 |
| Lassana Diarra | 2007-2008 | 2005-2007 |
| Yossi Benayoun | 2011-2012 (loan) | 2010-2013 |
| Petr Cech | 2015-2019 | 2004-2015 |
| David Luiz | 2019-2021 | 2011-2014, 2016-2019 |
| Olivier Giroud | 2012-2018 | 2018-2021 |
| Willian | 2020-2021 | 2013-2020 |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 2018-2022 | 2022-present |
| Jorginho | 2023-present | 2018-2023 |
Emmanuel Petit
- Appearances for Arsenal: 115
- Appearances for Chelsea: 76
- Goals: 11 (Arsenal) / 3 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: Premier League, FA Cup, 2x FA Charity Shield (Arsenal)
Petit joined Arsenal from Monaco, where he was also managed by Arsene Wenger. He formed a solid partnership alongside Patrick Vieira as the Gunners won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998.
Following a season at Barcelona, the Frenchman moved to Chelsea. He struggled in his first season but did well in his second next to Frank Lampard. After a series of knee injuries, Petit retired soon after his contract expired with the Blues.
Nicolas Anelka
- Appearances for Arsenal: 87
- Appearances for Chelsea: 184
- Goals: 28 (Arsenal) / 59 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: Premier League, FA Cup, FA Charity Shield (Arsenal) / Premier League, 2x FA Cup, FA Community Shield (Chelsea)
Anelka joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old following problems at PSG. He struggled for game time in his first season but thrived in his second campaign after an injury to Ian Wright. He won the league and cup double in 1998 before being named PFA Young Player of the Year in 1999.
The striker moved to Chelsea in 2008 and won four trophies with the club. However, his most remembered moment came in the 2008 Champions League final when he missed the deciding penalty in the shootout against Man United.
Ashley Cole
- Appearances for Arsenal: 228
- Appearances for Chelsea: 337
- Goals: 9 (Arsenal) / 7 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: x2 Premier League, x3 FA Cup, x2 FA Community Shield (Arsenal) / Premier League, x4 FA Cup, League Cup, FA Community Shield, Champions League, Europa League (Chelsea)
Cole graduated from the Arsenal youth team and made his senior debut for the Gunners in November 1999. He played an important role in the 'Invincibles' team of 2003/04 and helped the north London side reach their first Champions League final in 2006.
The defender was fined £75,000 by the Premier League after he was found guilty of making contact with Chelsea without informing Arsenal. It was worth it however as Cole won almost every trophy possible with the Blues, including the Champions League.
William Gallas
- Appearances for Arsenal: 142
- Appearances for Chelsea: 225
- Goals: 17 (Arsenal) / 14 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: x2 Premier League, League Cup, FA Community Shield (Chelsea)
Gallas joined Chelsea from Marseille and helped form a solid defence for the Blues. His partnership with John Terry saw them go on a 16-game run without conceding before winning back-to-back titles under Mourinho.
The Frenchman then joined Arsenal on a four-year deal and wore the number 10 shirt following the departure of Dennis Bergkamp. He struggled with a few injuries and was not able to bring any silverware to the Emirates Stadium.
Cesc Fabregas
- Appearances for Arsenal: 303
- Appearances for Chelsea:198
- Goals: 57 (Arsenal) / 22 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: FA Cup, Community Shield (Arsenal) / x2 Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup (Chelsea)
Fabregas was brought in by Wenger to replace Patrick Vieira in the Arsenal midfield. The Spaniard went on to captain the club but they kept falling short of trophies such as the Premier League and Champions League.
Chelsea signed the midfielder from Barcelona after Arsenal decided against re-signing him. He went onto win two league titles with the Blues as he connected well with Diego Costa on the pitch.
"But now I'm with this great club, playing with great players, a great coach, great fans and I want to win everything. I'm hungry. I really really want to do well for this club."
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) June 12, 2023
Cesc Fabregas' post-match interview after we beat Arsenal 💙pic.twitter.com/cStfT3PWxG
Lassana Diarra
- Appearances for Arsenal: 12
- Appearances for Chelsea: 31
- Goals: None
- Titles won: FA Cup, League Cup (Chelsea)
Diarra was named a Chelsea's Young Player of the Season in 2006 after a promising season in the Blues' midfield. However he was used as right-back in his second season at the club, which he was not happy with.
The Frenchman moved to Arsenal for more game time but things did not go to plan following the emergence of Mathieu Flamini. Diarra still did not get his desired minutes and left the Gunners after just one season.
Yossi Benayoun
- Appearances for Arsenal: 25
- Appearances for Chelsea: 24
- Goals: 6 (Arsenal) / 1 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: Europa League (Chelsea)
Benayoun transferred to Chelsea from fellow Premier League side Liverpool. He was off to a decent start but injuries began to get the better of him. As Juan Mata joined the Blues, the Israeli midfielder went on loan to Arsenal.
He helped the Gunners to a top-four finish before eventually returning to Chelsea after a injury ended a loan spell at West Ham after four months. He eventually won the Europa League with Chelsea.
Petr Cech
- Appearances for Arsenal: 139
- Appearances for Chelsea: 494
- Clean sheets (Premier League): 202
- Titles won: FA Cup, x2 Community Shield / x4 Premier League, x4 FA Cup, x3 League Cup, x2 Community Shield, Champions League, Europa League
Cech won back-to-back league titles in his first two seasons at Chelsea but he suffered a depressed skull fracture in his third campaign, which led to him wearing a headguard for the rest of his career. He also played a huge role in leading the Blues to their first-ever Champions League title, saving multiple penalties in the final.
He broke the record for Premier League clean sheets during his time at Arsenal. His time with the Gunners did not end well as they lost 4-1 in the Europa League final to Chelsea in an embarrassing display.
Petr Cech’s journey, in his own words.#PLHallOfFame | @PetrCech pic.twitter.com/aOgtUqsV5I
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 3, 2023
David Luiz
- Appearances for Arsenal: 73
- Appearances for Chelsea: 248
- Goals: 4 (Arsenal) / 248 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: FA Cup, Community Shield (Arsenal) / Premier League, x2 FA Cup, Champions League, x2 Europa League (Chelsea)
Luiz had two spells with Chelsea as he played for PSG between each stint. He was a unique defender with his ability on the ball and shooting technique. He won the Europa League in both spells while also winning the Champions League.
Despite winning the FA Cup with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, Luiz had a difficult time with the Gunners. He was often unfairly ridiculed but did help players such as Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock with their transition to the first team.
Olivier Giroud
- Appearances for Arsenal: 253
- Appearances for Chelsea: 119
- Goals: 105 (Arsenal) / 39 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: x3 FA Cup, x3 Community Shield (Arsenal) / x2 FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League (Chelsea)
Giroud moved to Arsenal after winning Ligue 1 with Montpellier. He assisted Aaron Ramsey in the 2014 FA Cup final as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought.
The forward joined Chelsea after Aubameyang moved to north London. He enjoyed a lot of success with the Blues as he beat Arsenal in the Europa League final, in which he scored the opener, before also winning the Champions League.
Willian
- Appearances for Arsenal: 37
- Appearances for Chelsea: 339
- Goals: 1 (Arsenal) / 63 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: x2 Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Europa League (Chelsea)
Willian helped Chelsea to two league titles and a Europa League trophy as he was a big threat on the Chelsea right wing while Eden Hazard caused problems on the left side.
Despite providing two assists on his debut for Arsenal, Willian described his time in north London as 'the worst time that he had lived as a professional'. He left just a year into his three-year contract.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Appearances for Arsenal: 163
- Appearances for Chelsea: 21
- Goals: 92 (Arsenal) / 3 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: FA Cup, Community Shield (Arsenal)
Aubameyang was Wenger's final signing for the club as the Gunners desperately tried to return to the Champions League. The striker won the golden boot for Arsenal in his first full season before winning the FA Cup in his second. He then struggled during the pandemic and lost his scoring touch.
After a very brief spell at Barcelona, the Gabon forward moved back to the Premier League with Chelsea. His first season did not go to plan as Thomas Tuchel was sacked and Aubameyang struggled for game time.
Jorginho
- Appearances for Arsenal: 16
- Appearances for Chelsea: 213
- Goals: 29 (Chelsea)
- Titles won: Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup (Chelsea)
Jorginho followed Maurizio Sarri from Napoli to Chelsea. Although he never won a domestic trophy with the Blues, he was influential in their continental success as they lifted both the Champions League and Europa League.
Arteta signed the Italian midfielder to help Arsenal with their title challenge against Man City. Despite helping the Gunners' win vital points from January onwards, he could not get them over the line.
Premier League 2023/24 TV channels, live streams
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | |
| Hong Kong | — | Now TV |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Astro Go |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Singapore | StarHub | StarHub TV+ |
| UK | Sky Sports, TNT Sports | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo |
Fubo, Peacock |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and TNT Sports streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on Fubo. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streamed exclusively via Fubo in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).