Get the ultimate guide to all players who played for both Arsenal and West Ham. Dive into player stats, transfer histories, and club legends!
Separated by just a few miles across the English capital, Arsenal and West Ham United represent two distinct cultures of London football. While the Gunners built their global legacy in North London, the Hammers proudly stand as the talent-producing “Academy of Football” in the East.
Despite their contrasting identities, a highly active transfer pipeline has connected these two historic institutions over the decades. Exactly 22 footballers have made the journey across the city to represent both first teams.
1. Declan Rice
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West Ham: 2017-2023 (Apps: 245 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 13) | Arsenal: 2023 – Present (Apps: 87 | Goals: 8 | Assists: 12)
Declan Rice is the defining modern crossover between these two London clubs.
Having captained West Ham to their historic UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2023, Rice departed the London Stadium as a club legend. His direct move to Arsenal for a staggering, club-record fee of £105 million was one of the most significant transfers in Premier League history.
At Arsenal, Rice has evolved from a traditional defensive anchor into a complete box-to-box midfielder. His leadership, physical presence, and elite reading of the game have made him an immediate icon at the Emirates, proving that his immense price tag was a bargain for a generational talent.
2. Ian Wright
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Arsenal: 1991-1998 (Apps: 288 | Goals: 185 | Assists: 18) | West Ham: 1998-1999 (Apps: 26 | Goals: 9 | Assists: 2)
Ian Wright is an undisputed immortal in Arsenal’s history. Signed from Crystal Palace in 1991, he spent seven spectacular seasons at Highbury, eventually breaking Cliff Bastin’s long-standing goalscoring record to become the club’s all-time top scorer (a record later surpassed only by Thierry Henry).
After winning the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998, a veteran Wright moved to West Ham for a final top-flight flourish. Despite being in the twilight of his career, his legendary predatory instincts remained sharp, as he netted 9 goals in just 26 appearances for the Hammers.
3. Freddie Ljungberg
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Arsenal: 1998–2007 (Apps: 328 | Goals: 72 | Assists: 37) | West Ham: 2007–2008 (Apps: 28 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 2)
A key architect of Arsenal’s legendary “Invincibles” era, Freddie Ljungberg was the engine room of Arsène Wenger’s most successful sides. Arriving from Halmstads BK, the Swedish midfielder became famous for his perfectly timed late runs into the box and his knack for scoring in massive games, including the 2002 FA Cup final.
After nine years in North London, Ljungberg made a move to West Ham in 2007. Although his time in East London was hampered by nagging injuries, he provided veteran leadership and a touch of world-class quality to the Hammers’ midfield before eventually departing for the MLS.
4. Jack Wilshere
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Arsenal: 2008-2018 (Apps: 197 | Goals: 14 | Assists: 27) | West Ham: 2018-2020 (Apps: 19 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 1)
Jack Wilshere was the darling of the Arsenal academy, a player whose technical brilliance and fearless style of play made him one of the most exciting English talents of his generation. His masterclass performance against Barcelona at age 19 remains the stuff of legend at the Emirates.
After a decade of immense highs and tragic injury setbacks, Wilshere left Arsenal on a free transfer to join West Ham – he club he had supported as a young boy. While the move was intended to be a romantic homecoming, injuries continued to haunt him, restricting him to just 19 appearances.
5. Samir Nasri
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Arsenal: 2008–2011 (Apps: 125 | Goals: 27 | Assists: 15) | West Ham: 2019 (Apps: 6 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 2)
Samir Nasri arrived at Arsenal from Marseille with the “New Zidane” tag. His 2010–11 season was arguably his peak, where he showcased world-class form before making a controversial move to Manchester City.
Years later, after a successful career in the North and a stint in Turkey, Nasri made a surprise return to the Premier League with West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini. Though he was only at the London Stadium for a short period following a doping ban, Nasri provided flashes of his former creative genius, including a vital assist against his former club Arsenal before eventually moving to Anderlecht.
6. Davor Suker
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Arsenal: 1999–2000 (Apps: 39 | Goals: 11 | Assists: 3) | West Ham: 2000–2001 (Apps: 13 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 1)
Davor Suker was a global superstar and the Golden Boot winner of the 1998 World Cup when he arrived at Arsenal from Real Madrid. Despite facing fierce competition from Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, the Croatian marksman displayed his technical class, scoring 11 goals in his single season at Highbury and helping the club reach the UEFA Cup final.
Seeking more regular starting opportunities, Suker made the short trip across London to join West Ham. While his stay at the Boleyn Ground was also brief, his elegance on the ball and legendary left foot left a lasting impression on the Hammers fans before he moved on to Germany with 1860 Munich.
7. Alex Song
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Arsenal: 2005-2012 (Apps: 204 | Goals: 10 | Assists: 23) | West Ham: 2014-2016 (Apps: 46 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 3)
Alex Song’s rise at Arsenal was a testament to Arsene Wenger’s developmental powers. Initially signed from Bastia as a raw defender, Song evolved into one of the league’s most effective defensive midfielders. His performances earned him a dream move to FC Barcelona in 2012.
After two seasons in Spain, Song returned to London on loan at West Ham. During his first season, he was absolutely sensational, bossing the midfield and helping the club secure wins against the league’s top sides.
8. Lukasz Fabianski
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Arsenal: 2007–2014 (Apps: 78 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0) | West Ham: 2018–Present (Apps: 205 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0)
Lukasz Fabianski has enjoyed two very different careers in London. At Arsenal, he was primarily the reliable back-up to Manuel Almunia and Wojciech Szczęsny, but he left on the highest possible note by playing a starring role in their 2014 FA Cup victory.
After a four-year spell at Swansea City, Fabianski moved to West Ham in 2018 for £7 million. At the London Stadium, he transformed into one of the most consistent and respected goalkeepers in the Premier League.
For over half a decade, “Fab” has been a brick wall for the Hammers, winning West Ham United Hammer of the Year 2018-19 and playing a vital role in their recent European adventures.
Other Notable Men Who Played for Both Clubs
Beyond the marquee stars, several other players have made the transition between North and East London.
| Player Name | Time at Arsenal | Time at West Ham |
| Jérémie Aliadière | 2001–2007 (51 Apps) | 2005 (Loan) (8 Apps) |
| Manuel Almunia | 2004–2012 (175 Apps) | 2011 (Loan) (4 Apps) |
| Yossi Benayoun | 2011–2012 (Loan) (25 Apps) | 2005–2008 & 2012 (Loan) (78 Apps) |
| David Bentley | 2002–2006 (9 Apps) | 2011 (Loan) (5 Apps) |
| Luís Boa Morte | 1997–1999 (39 Apps) | 2007–2011 (109 Apps) |
| Marouane Chamakh | 2010–2013 (67 Apps) | 2013 (Loan) (3 Apps) |
| Kaba Diawara | 1999 (15 Apps) | 2000–2001 (Loan) (12 Apps) |
| John Hartson | 1995–1997 (70 Apps) | 1997–1999 (73 Apps) |
| Carl Jenkinson | 2011–2019 (41 Apps) | 2014–2016 (Loan) (59 Apps) |
| Henri Lansbury | 2007–2012 (8 Apps) | 2011–2012 (Loan) (24 Apps) |
| Konstantinos Mavropanos | 2018–2022 (8 Apps) | 2023–2024 (33 Apps) |
| Lucas Pérez | 2016–2018 (21 Apps) | 2018–2019 (19 Apps) |
| Matt Upson | 1997–2003 (57 Apps) | 2007–2011 (145 Apps) |
| Nigel Winterburn | 1987–2000 (584 Apps) | 2000–2003 (94 Apps) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the most expensive player to transfer between Arsenal and West Ham?
A: The record is held by Declan Rice, who made the direct move from West Ham to Arsenal in July 2023 for a club-record fee of £105 million.
Q: Which player has the most appearances for Arsenal in this list?
A: The legendary defender Nigel Winterburn leads the way with an incredible 584 appearances for the Gunners before moving to West Ham in the twilight of his career.
Q: Who scored the most combined goals for both Arsenal and West Ham?
A: Ian Wright is the top scorer on this list. He netted 185 goals during his legendary career at Arsenal, holding the club’s all-time goalscoring record for many years. When he moved to West Ham for the 1998-1999 season, he added 9 more goals in just 26 appearances.
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