Chelsea vs Arsenal: Five players who have appeared for both teams

Chelsea host Arsenal in a Premier League clash that could define both the title race and final Champions League places, even this early in the season.

Enzo Maresca is looking for a successful first campaign in charge of the Blues, having arrived from Leicester City as the sixth managerial appointment of the Todd Boehly era. 

However, a win against Mikel Arteta’s side – especially when the Arsenal are on the road – is hard to come by. The Gunners are a force to be reckoned with once again this season, as they look to finally snatch the Premier League title from Manchester City on the third time of asking.

Indeed, a win will show Arsenal can sustain a push as title challengers, with Stamford Bridge a real hunting ground for Arteta, who is unbeaten when taking his side across to west London – with the Chelsea v Arsenal odds backing the visitors as favourites. 

Arsenal will be without Raheem Sterling though. The winger is on loan from Chelsea and therefore ineligible to play – the 30-year-old being one of a number of players to have appeared for both London rivals over their careers.

Over the years, there have been plenty of players to feature for Arsenal and Chelsea, and in this article, we look at five of the most memorable. 

Ashley Cole 

We begin with one of the Premier League’s more infamous transfers – when Ashley Cole left Arsenal to join Chelsea in 2006. The England international was one of the best left-backs on the planet when he left due to contract dispute and to seek greater success.

He joined Chelsea, where he won multiple trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

William Gallas 

Part of that controversial Cole swap deal saw William Gallas move from Chelsea to Arsenal in a move that saw him captain the club after Thierry Henry left in 2007. However, things never worked out for the Frenchman despite a strong career in Blue where he was a versatile component of Jose Mourinho’s defence. 

The turning point for William Gallas at Arsenal came after his emotional outburst during a match against Birmingham City in 2008, which shocked the football betting whilst raising doubts about his leadership.

Stripped of the captaincy, he eventually left and joined Tottenham in 2010 after he threatened to score earn goals if Arsenal continued to select him. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Another Arsenal captain to feature for Chelsea is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon striker made a significant impact during his time at Arsenal from 2018 to 2022, becoming the club's leading goal scorer and helping them lift the FA Cup in 2020. 

After leaving the Emirates midway through the season, ‘Auba’ joined Barcelona on a free transfer but left after six months due to the La Liga side’s financial troubles – joining Chelsea for £12 million. 

His experience and goal-scoring ability got the Blues off to a good start, but he was later excluded from Graham Potter’s Champions League squad, promoting a move to Marseille. 

Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fàbregas emerged as one of the brightest talents in English football during his time at Arsenal from 2003 to 2011. 

The Spanish playmaker became the club's captain and was integral to their attacking play, boasting exceptional vision and passing ability. 

After a spell at Barcelona, Fàbregas returned to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2014, initially wanting to return to Arsenal but being told by Arsene Wenger he was no longer needed.

At Stamford Bridge, his creativity helped the Blues clinch two league titles in three seasons, further solidifying his legacy in English football.

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud is another player who has experienced the highs and lows of the Chelsea-Arsenal rivalry. After joining Arsenal from Ligue 1 champions Montpellier, the French striker quickly became a fan favourite, known for his aerial ability and knack for scoring crucial goals. 

Following his departure from the Gunners in 2018, Giroud moved across London to Chelsea, where he played a pivotal role in their success, including winning the UEFA Europa League and the Champions League.