Chuba Akpom’s goal against his former club in September 2026 added another chapter to the list of players who played for Arsenal and Ipswich Town.
Some were major figures at both clubs. Paul Mariner and Brian Talbot helped build Bobby Robson’s great Ipswich side before moving to Highbury, while Alan Sunderland is forever associated with one of Arsenal’s most famous FA Cup goals. Others, including Francis Jeffers and Richard Wright, found that moving between the clubs did not always go according to plan.
There are 15 players with an official first-team appearance for both Arsenal and Ipswich Town. Academy football, reserve matches, trials and unofficial wartime guest appearances are not counted. This distinction excludes Omari Hutchinson and Tyreece John-Jules, whose Arsenal records were limited to youth football.
Statistics below cover official first-team competitions.
1. Paul Mariner
- Ipswich Town: 1976–1984 (Apps: 339 | Goals: 139)
- Arsenal: 1984–1986 (Apps: 70 | Goals: 17)
Paul Mariner is the most important name on this list and one of the finest forwards in Ipswich Town history.
Bobby Robson signed him from Plymouth Argyle in 1976 after identifying the powerful centre-forward as the missing piece in his attack. Mariner could lead the line, compete physically with defenders and finish chances, but his value went far beyond goals.
He helped Ipswich beat Arsenal in the 1978 FA Cup final and was a central figure in the club’s UEFA Cup triumph three years later. Ipswich also challenged for the league title during one of the strongest periods in their history.
Mariner moved to Arsenal for £150,000 in February 1984. He scored seven league goals before the end of that season and produced another solid campaign in 1984/85. Injuries eventually reduced his role, and he left for Portsmouth in 1986.
His best years belonged to Ipswich, but 17 goals from 70 Arsenal appearances made him far more than a ceremonial veteran at Highbury.
2. Brian Talbot
- Ipswich Town: 1972–1979 (Apps: 233 | Goals: 32)
- Arsenal: 1979–1985 (Apps: 327 | Goals: 49)
Born in Ipswich and developed by the club, Brian Talbot became an essential part of Bobby Robson’s energetic midfield.
He helped Town win the 1978 FA Cup, although an injury suffered while scoring in the semi-final prevented him from playing against Arsenal at Wembley. Seven months later, Arsenal paid approximately £450,000 to sign him.
Talbot immediately became a regular at Highbury. He started the dramatic 1979 FA Cup final against Manchester United, which Arsenal won 3-2, making him the first player for more than a century to win the competition with different clubs in consecutive seasons.
His stamina was extraordinary. During Arsenal’s 70-match campaign in 1979/80, Talbot appeared in every game as the team reached the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup finals.
He ultimately made 327 appearances for Arsenal. Mariner may have the greater Ipswich legacy, but Talbot produced the most balanced body of work across the two clubs.
3. Alan Sunderland
- Arsenal: 1977–1984 (Apps: 281 | Goals: 92)
- Ipswich Town: 1984–1986 (Apps: 66 | Goals: 12)
Alan Sunderland’s place in Arsenal history was secured in the final minute of the 1979 FA Cup final.
Manchester United had recovered from 2-0 down by scoring twice in quick succession, but Arsenal launched one last attack. Liam Brady found Graham Rix, whose cross reached Sunderland at the far post. The forward converted to give Arsenal a 3-2 victory.
It remains one of the club’s most replayed goals.
Sunderland was not merely a one-match hero. He scored 92 times for Arsenal, finished as the club’s leading scorer in two seasons and formed a productive partnership with Frank Stapleton.
Injuries and increased competition gradually pushed him out of the side. He joined Ipswich on loan in February 1984 before making the transfer permanent. Although Town were no longer at their late-1970s peak, Sunderland remained a useful forward during his final two seasons in English football.
4. Richard Wright
- Ipswich Town: 1995–2001, 2008–2010 and 2011–2012 (More than 350 appearances)
- Arsenal: 2001–2002 (Apps: 22 | Goals: 0)
Richard Wright rose through the Ipswich academy and established himself as one of England’s leading young goalkeepers.
He was outstanding as Town won promotion through the First Division play-offs in 2000. The following season, newly promoted Ipswich finished fifth in the Premier League and qualified for Europe. Wright’s performances also earned him a place in England’s Euro 2000 squad.
Arsenal signed him for around £6 million in 2001 as the expected long-term successor to David Seaman. The move did not work as planned. Wright made several costly errors, struggled to displace Seaman and left for Everton after only one season.
Nevertheless, he made 22 appearances as Arsenal won the Premier League and FA Cup double. Arsène Wenger started him on the final league weekend so he could qualify for a championship medal.
Wright later returned to Ipswich twice, rebuilding his reputation and winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2008/09. His Arsenal spell was disappointing, but his Ipswich legacy remained intact.
5. Ainsley Maitland-Niles
- Ipswich Town: 2015–2016, loan (Apps: 32 | Goals: 2)
- Arsenal: 2014–2023 (Apps: 132 | Goals: 3)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles made his Arsenal debut at 17 but needed regular senior football to continue his development. Ipswich offered him that opportunity during the 2015/16 Championship season.
Mick McCarthy generally used the teenager as a winger. Maitland-Niles made 32 appearances, scored twice and gained experience in a physically demanding league.
He returned to Arsenal a more polished player and eventually became valued for his versatility. Although he preferred central midfield, most of his best performances came at wing-back or full-back.
Maitland-Niles started the 2020 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea and converted a penalty during Arsenal’s Community Shield shootout win against Liverpool. He also earned five England caps during that period.
His Arsenal career later lost momentum amid positional uncertainty and several loans, but he still achieved far more at the club than many academy prospects. The Ipswich season was an important step between youth football and those Wembley appearances.
6. Francis Jeffers
- Arsenal: 2001–2004 (Apps: 39 | Goals: 8)
- Ipswich Town: 2007, loan (Apps: 9 | Goals: 4)
Arsène Wenger described Francis Jeffers as a “fox in the box” when Arsenal signed the young striker from Everton for an initial £8 million in 2001.
The phrase followed Jeffers throughout his career, largely because the transfer failed. Injuries prevented him from building momentum, while Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord and Nwankwo Kanu provided formidable competition.
Jeffers scored eight goals in 39 Arsenal appearances and was part of successful squads, but he never justified his transfer fee. He later admitted that his approach to training and life away from football contributed to his failure at Highbury.
His brief loan at Ipswich in 2007 was more encouraging. Jeffers scored four times in nine matches and showed enough quality for Town to pursue a permanent transfer. No agreement was reached, however, and the short spell became another example of what he might have achieved with greater consistency.
7. Chuba Akpom
- Arsenal: 2013–2018 (Apps: 12 | Goals: 0)
- Ipswich Town: 2025–present
Chuba Akpom joined Arsenal at six years old and made his senior debut against Sunderland in September 2013. He eventually recorded 12 first-team appearances but spent much of his time under contract away on loan.
His career took off only after leaving England. Akpom won a domestic double with PAOK before returning to the Championship with Middlesbrough. Repositioned as a deeper forward by Michael Carrick, he scored 28 league goals in 2022/23 and won the Championship Golden Boot.
After spells with Ajax and Lille, Akpom joined Ipswich on loan in August 2025. He made 31 appearances during Town’s promotion season before completing a permanent move in May 2026.
His link with both clubs gained fresh attention on 15 September 2026. Introduced from the bench in the League Cup, Akpom scored late against Arsenal in Ipswich’s 4-2 defeat at Portman Road. It was his first senior goal against the club where he had spent most of his childhood.
Other Players Who Played for Arsenal and Ipswich Town
| Player | Arsenal period | Ipswich period | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Kiwomya | 1995–1998 | 1987–1995 | Scored more than 60 goals for Ipswich before an unsuccessful move to Arsenal. |
| Daniel Karbassiyoon | 2003–2005 | 2004–2005 | Scored on his Arsenal debut and later made six appearances for Ipswich on loan. |
| Jay Emmanuel-Thomas | 2008–2011 | 2011–2013 | Made five senior appearances for Arsenal before becoming a regular at Ipswich. |
| Jimmy Robertson | 1968–1970 | 1970–1972 | The Scottish winger made 59 Arsenal appearances before joining Bobby Robson’s Ipswich. |
| Lee Chapman | 1982–1983 | 1995–1996 | Had short spells at both clubs but enjoyed his greatest success with Leeds United. |
| Moritz Volz | 2000–2004 | 2008–2009 | His Arsenal debut came against Ipswich; he later joined Town on loan from Fulham. |
| Paolo Vernazza | 1997–2000 | 1998, loan | Scored once for Arsenal and made two senior appearances during a short Ipswich loan. |
| Raphael Meade | 1981–1985 | 1989–1990, loan | Scored regularly in limited Arsenal opportunities but appeared only once for Ipswich. |
Who Had the Best Career at Both Clubs?
Paul Mariner had the greatest Ipswich career among these players, while Brian Talbot made the strongest contribution across both teams.
Mariner won two major trophies and became an Ipswich Hall of Fame striker before producing respectable numbers for Arsenal. Talbot also won the FA Cup with Town, then made more than 300 appearances and lifted another FA Cup with the Gunners.
Alan Sunderland ranks above both in Arsenal folklore because of his 1979 winner, but his Ipswich spell came near the end of his career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players have played for both Arsenal and Ipswich Town?
Fifteen male players have made an official first-team appearance for both clubs. The total excludes academy matches, reserve competitions, trials and unofficial wartime guest appearances.
Did Omari Hutchinson play for Arsenal’s first team?
No. Hutchinson represented Arsenal at youth and under-21 level and was named on the senior bench for an FA Cup match, but he never made a competitive first-team appearance. He is therefore not included.
Did Tyreece John-Jules play for Arsenal’s first team?
No. John-Jules spent many years in Arsenal’s academy and was contracted to the club while joining Ipswich on loan, but he left without a senior Arsenal appearance.
The Arsenal-Ipswich connection is not dominated by direct transfers. Several players arrived on loan, while others represented the clubs at very different stages of their careers. Yet the list still contains FA Cup winners, European champions, England internationals and two genuine Ipswich greats in Mariner and Talbot.
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