How many Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players have featured for both clubs? Explore the career statistics of 4 these stars, from Granit Xhaka to Kai Havertz.
As Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen prepare to clash in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the shared history between the two clubs comes back into the spotlight.
Beyond tactical comparisons, the most tangible link is the small group of elite Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players who have represented both sides. These transfers have varied from club-record deals to tactical shifts that redefined careers.
1. Granit Xhaka
- Arsenal: 2016-2022 (Apps: 297 | Goals: 23 | Assist: 29), Leverkusen: 2023-2024 (Apps: 99 | Goals: 6 | Assist: 9)
Granit Xhaka arrived in North London in 2016 for approximately £35 million. His seven-year stint was characterized by immense durability, as he recorded 24,425 minutes and 297 games, making him one of the most used Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players in recent history.
While his relationship with the fans was famously turbulent, he eventually transformed into a vital leader and a fan favorite, helping the club secure two FA Cups before seeking a new challenge back in Germany.
His 2023 move to Leverkusen for €25 million proved to be the ultimate career resurgence. Xhaka became the tactical centerpiece of Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bundesliga-winning side, bringing much-needed experience to the midfield.
With 99 Apps and 6 goals for the German club, his time in North Rhine-Westphalia has been a categorical success, proving that his elite passing and leadership were the missing ingredients for Leverkusen’s historic domestic double.
2. Kai Havertz
- Leverkusen: 2016-2019 (Apps: 159 | Goals: 48 | Assist: 27), Arsenal: 2023-2025 (Apps: 97 | Goals: 31 | Assist: 13)
Kai Havertz is one of the most gifted academy graduate to emerge from the BayArena in the modern era. During his 159 games for Leverkusen, he tallied 48 goals and 27 assists. His 12,058 minutes in a Leverkusen shirt saw him grow from a teenage debutant into a versatile attacking threat.
After a polarizing period at Chelsea, Havertz joined Arsenal in 2023 for £65 million. While skeptics questioned his best position, he has become a tactical success under Mikel Arteta, contributing 31 goals in 97 games.
For fans tracking Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players, Havertz represents a successful evolution from a Bundesliga starlet to a proven Premier League match-winner.
3. Bernd Leno
- Leverkusen: 2011-2017 (Apps: 294 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0), Arsenal: 2018-2021 (Apps: 125 | Goals: 0 | Assist: 0)
Bernd Leno arrived at Bayer Leverkusen from Stuttgart. Clocking an impressive 26,635 minutes across 294 games, he was a model of consistency in the Bundesliga. His shot-stopping ability and reliability made him a natural choice for Arsenal in 2018 when they sought a long-term successor to Petr Cech.
However, Leno’s trajectory as one of the most prominent Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players changed during a match against Brighton in June 2020. A controversial collision with Neal Maupay resulted in a serious knee injury that sidelined Leno for the remainder of the season.
This paved the way for Emiliano Martinez to step into the starting lineup. Martinez’s exceptional form during Leno’s absence – culminating in an FA Cup triumph – created a selection dilemma that Leno never fully recovered from.
Although he initially regained his starting spot, the rise of Martinez and the eventual signing of Aaron Ramsdale saw Leno fall down the pecking order, ultimately leading to a disappointing exit to Fulham.
4. Piero Hincapié
- Leverkusen: 2021-2025 (Apps: 166 | Goals: 7 | Assist: 7), Arsenal: 2025 – present (Apps: 27 | Goals: 1 | Assist: 1)
Piero Hincapié is the most recent addition to the list of Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players after making the move to London in 2025 on loan. He was a pillar of the Leverkusen defense for several seasons, recording 166 games and 7 goals. His versatility to play as both a center-back and a left-back made him an essential asset in Xabi Alonso’s flexible tactical setups.
Since joining Arsenal, Hincapié has made a smooth transition to English football. In his first 27 games, he has already contributed 1 goal and shown the defensive maturity required for the Premier League.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many players have played for both Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen?
There are 4 Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players in recent history: Granit Xhaka, Kai Havertz, Bernd Leno, and Piero Hincapié. Each has played a significant role in their respective club’s domestic and European campaigns.
2. Why did Bernd Leno leave Arsenal for Fulham?
Bernd Leno’s departure from Arsenal was primarily due to a tactical shift by manager Mikel Arteta. After a long-term injury caused by a collision with Neal Maupay, backup goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez delivered a string of elite performances. This eventually led to the signing of Aaron Ramsdale, whose superior ball-playing ability pushed Leno out of the starting XI.
3. Did Granit Xhaka win the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen?
Yes. Granit Xhaka was the tactical cornerstone of Xabi Alonso’s side during their historic unbeaten 2023–24 Bundesliga season. His leadership and experience were credited as the main reasons Leverkusen was able to secure their first-ever league title and the DFB-Pokal.
4. Is Kai Havertz more successful at Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen?
Statistically, Havertz was more prolific at Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored 48 goals in 159 Apps. At Arsenal, while his goal-scoring rate is slightly lower (31 goals in 97 Apps), he is considered a tactical success due to his versatility and ability to perform as a “false nine” in high-stakes Premier League matches.
5. Who is the most recent player to join Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen?
The most recent player to join the list of Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen players is Piero Hincapié. The Ecuadorian defender moved to London in 2025 after a highly successful stint in Germany.
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