Top 10 players to play for both Arsenal and Chelsea

A few players down the years have played for both clubs

The historic North West London Derby between Arsenal and Chelsea is one of English football's oldest rivalries, dating back to 1907 when the two teams first clashed.

The rivalry has evolved over the years, and since Chelsea's ascent to prominence in the early 2000s, it has become one of the Premier League's most important ties.

In this article, we look at the ten players that played for both London clubs during the Premier League period.

10. Lassana Diarra

From 2005 to 2007, the French midfielder spent two seasons at Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup and the League Cup. He then joined Arsenal in 2007, where he stayed for one season but did not win any titles.

9. David Rocastle

The English midfielder began his professional career in 1985 at Arsenal, where he spent seven seasons, winning the English league twice, the League Cup once, and the Community Shield once. He joined Chelsea in 1994 and stayed until 1998, however, he spent the last three seasons of his contract on loan.

8. Willian

From 2013 until 2020, the Brazilian winger spent seven seasons playing for Chelsea, where he won two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, a League Cup, and a Europa League championship. He has been playing for Arsenal since the 2020–21 season, however, the Gunners have not yet been able to claim a championship.

7. Nicolas Anelka

Between 1997 and 1999, the French forward played for two seasons with Arsenal, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Community Shield. He joined Chelsea in 2008 and stayed for four seasons. He won the Premier League, two FA Cups, and one Community Shield with Chelsea.

6. David Luiz

The Brazilian defender spent two seasons at Chelsea, from 2011 to 2014 and again from 2016 until 2019. David Luiz won the Premier League, the Champions League, two FA Cups, and two Europa Leagues with Chelsea.

He joined Arsenal in 2019 and played two seasons there, winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

5. William Gallas

From 2001 until 2006, the defender represented France at Chelsea. From 2006 to 2010, he played for four seasons at Arsenal. At Chelsea, he won two Premier Leagues, a League Cup, and the Community Shield; yet, he won nothing when playing for the Gunners.

4. Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud joined Arsenal in 2012 and stayed for six seasons before moving to Chelsea in 2018. He was released by the Blues in the summer of 2021. The French striker won three FA Cups and three Community Shields while at Arsenal, one FA Cup, one Europa League, and one Champions League while at Chelsea.

3. Cesc Fabregas

The Spanish midfielder played eight seasons at Arsenal, where he started his professional career in 2003 and won the FA Cup and the Community Shield. He played with Chelsea for five seasons, during which time he won two Premier League, one FA Cup, and one League Cup championship.

2. Petr Cech

From 2004 through 2015, the renowned goalie was a Chelsea player. Cech participated in 494 games for the Blues, during which time he won four Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, a Champions League trophy, and a Europa League crown.

He spent the final four years of his professional career with Arsenal, where he won two Community Shields and an FA Cup. He joined Arsenal in 2015.

1. Ashley Cole

The great English full-back started his professional career in 1999 with Arsenal and stayed with the team until 2006 when he moved on to Chelsea, where he played for the following eight seasons.

He won two Community Shields, three FA Cups, and two Premier League championships while at Arsenal. Cole won the Premier League, four FA Cups, a League Cup, a Community Shield, the Europa League, and the Champions League while playing with Chelsea.