Top five players to play for both Arsenal and Liverpool

Several top players have played for both elite English clubs over the years

The Premier League has a rich history and some fabulous players have played in it. On many occasions, some elite clubs have also shared those players. In particular, noteworthy players have taken to the field for Arsenal and Liverpool, two highly successful clubs. Both of them are giants of English football and have a very successful past, winning multiple trophies numerous times.

To represent not one but both clubs is a major achievement. Reaching the top level and impressing both teams takes a lot of quality and some players managed to do so. Arsenal and Liverpool will clash soon in the Premier League and it will be a major clash between two outfits that are league title contenders in the 2022-23 season.

This presents a perfect opportunity to look back at the players that donned jerseys of both clubs during their playing days. Here are five players to play for both Arsenal and Liverpool: 

Jermaine Pennant

Jermaine Pennant joined Arsenal during his teenage years in 1999. The winger did not make a lot of appearances for the London-based club and was caught in off-field controversies frequently. In seven years with Arsenal, he made five starts and scored three goals only.

He left Arsenal to join Birmingham in 2005 on loan which became a permanent move later. From there, the Englishman left for Liverpool in 2006. He won a FA Community Shield with both Arsenal and Liverpool.  

Yossi Benayoun

Yossi Benayoun went around playing for several Premier League clubs. The midfielder played for teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers.

The Israeli was a brilliant utility player back in his playing days in England. He signed for Liverpool in 2007. From the Reds, Benayoun went to Chelsea and then to Arsenal. He scored 29 goals and made 19 assists in 134 appearances for LFC. As for Arsenal, the midfielder scored six and made three assists in 25 outings.

Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka played for several top clubs during his playing days. The list includes both Liverpool and Arsenal in addition to major teams like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus among others. He also played for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League before retirement.

Nicolas Anelka won one Premier League, one FA Cup and two Community Shields with Arsenal. His career at Liverpool was short-lived, making only 22 appearances and scoring five goals for them.

Kolo Toure

There are many claims that suggest Kolo Toure is the best player to have featured for both Arsenal and Liverpool. The centre-back forged a strong pairing with Sol Campbell at Arsenal and played a key role in the 2003-04 season when the Gunners won the league without losing a single game. 

He spent seven years at Arsenal, building a massive legacy. The Ivorian joined Man City in 2009 and then later moved to Liverpool in 2013. While he could not win a trophy with the Reds, Toure won five with the Gunners.

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is the only active player who has played for both Arsenal and Liverpool. The English international joined the Gunners in 2011 from Southampton in a €13.80m move. Six years later, the winger made the move to join the Reds in 2017 in a €38.00m move.

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlian, despite his poor injury record, played 198 games for Arsenal where he got 20 goals and 33 assists. He is currently with Liverpool and has over 133 appearances with 17 goals and 15 assists.