The transfer of Danny Welbeck to Stamford Bridge in August 2026 has drawn attention to the group of players who played for both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Despite decades of bitter North-vs-West London hostility, transfers between Chelsea and Arsenal have become a surprisingly frequent tradition rather than a rare anomaly.
For players, the luxury of remaining in London without disrupting family life is a huge pull, while both clubs often prioritize proven Premier League experience and tactical pragmatism over traditional fan tribalism.
What follows is a look at all players who etched into this shared London history.
1. Petr Cech
- Arsenal: 2015-2018 (Apps: 139 | Min: 12450 | Gls: 0 | Ast: 0), Chelsea: 2004-2020 (Apps: 443 | Min: 39612 | Gls: 0 | Ast: 2)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, Petr Cech built an undeniable legacy at Stamford Bridge.
Over a legendary stint that secured four Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, his protective headgear and unmatched reflexes became synonymous with Chelsea’s defensive dominance.
In 2015, searching for consistent first-team minutes after Thibaut Courtois claimed the number one spot, Cech made a £10 million switch to Arsenal. He added a calming, veteran presence to the Gunners’ backline, securing a Golden Glove award during his first season at the Emirates.
His career eventually culminated with a poignant Europa League final appearance against his former club.
2. Willian
- Arsenal: 2020 (Apps: 37 | Min: 1892 | Gls: 1 | Ast: 7), Chelsea: 2013-2019 (Apps: 333 | Min: 21609 | Gls: 63 | Ast: 50)
Willian was a relentless creative force for Chelsea, famously snubbing Tottenham Hotspur at the last minute to sign for the Blues in 2013.
Across an incredibly successful tenure, the Brazilian winger secured two Premier League titles and established himself as a free-kick specialist with an engine built for high-intensity pressing.
After contract negotiations stalled at Stamford Bridge, he crossed London to join Arsenal on a free transfer in 2020. However, the move failed to replicate his earlier successes.
Struggling for form and consistency in a transitional Arsenal side, Willian’s stay at the Emirates lasted only one underwhelming season before his contract was mutually terminated.
3. Raheem Sterling
- Arsenal: 2024 (Apps: 28 | Min: 1147 | Gls: 1 | Ast: 5), Chelsea: 2022-2023 (Apps: 81 | Min: 5295 | Gls: 19 | Ast: 12)
Raheem Sterling’s journey across London highlighted the shifting dynamics of modern squad building.
Brought to Chelsea in 2022 as a marquee signing for the new ownership, Sterling initially showcased flashes of his Manchester City brilliance. However, frequent managerial changes and a bloated squad disrupted his rhythm. In 2024, Arsenal capitalized on Chelsea’s need to balance the books, securing the dynamic winger.
Intended to provide tactical depth and elite experience to Mikel Arteta’s attacking rotation, Sterling’s time at the Emirates was characterized by brief cameos rather than a sustained run as a guaranteed starter, reflecting the intense competition in Arsenal’s forward line.
4. Noni Madueke
- Arsenal: 2025 (Apps: 43 | Min: 2248 | Gls: 8 | Ast: 3), Chelsea: 2022-2025 (Apps: 90 | Min: 4775 | Gls: 19 | Ast: 7)
A product of the modern youth development system, Noni Madueke originally honed his skills at Tottenham before breaking out at PSV Eindhoven.
Chelsea secured his signature as part of a massive youth-focused recruitment drive. While possessing devastating 1v1 ability, Madueke constantly fought for consistent minutes at Stamford Bridge.
In a surprise intra-city transaction in 2025, Arsenal acquired the winger. Integrating into a structured possession-based system, Madueke provided the Gunners with a direct, unpredictable threat off the right flank, functioning as a high-quality alternative to Bukayo Saka during grueling domestic and European campaigns.
5. Jorginho
- Arsenal: 2022-2024 (Apps: 79 | Min: 4123 | Gls: 2 | Ast: 3), Chelsea: 2018-2022 (Apps: 213 | Min: 16527 | Gls: 29 | Ast: 7)
Having served as the central metronome for Chelsea during their Champions League-winning campaign, Jorginho found himself at a career crossroads in early 2023. With Chelsea aggressively pivoting toward a youth-centric squad rebuild and closing in on a record-breaking move for Enzo Fernández, the Italian’s contract was allowed to tick down into its final six months.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were leading a fiery Premier League title race but urgently needed midfield depth after a mid-season injury to Thomas Partey and failed bids for Moises Caicedo. Mikel Arteta, a long-time admirer of Jorginho’s tactical intelligence, seized the opportunity.
Arsenal secured a swift £12 million deadline-day deal, giving Chelsea a tidy fee for an expiring veteran while providing Arsenal with an experienced, cool-headed conductor who played a pivotal role in stabilizing their midfield down the stretch.
6. Kai Havertz
- Arsenal: 2023-2025 (Apps: 111 | Min: 7695 | Gls: 36 | Ast: 16), Chelsea: 2020-2022 (Apps: 139 | Min: 9015 | Gls: 32 | Ast: 13)
Kai Havertz’s career across London is a story of tactical reinvention.
Signed by Chelsea for £71 million, the German will forever be immortalized in Blue for scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League Final. Yet, he often looked disjointed in a struggling Chelsea system.
Arsenal executed a bold £65 million transfer in 2023, with Mikel Arteta reshaping Havertz into a dominant, duel-winning advanced midfielder and false nine. Thriving on late box arrivals and relentless pressing, Havertz’s goal contributions surged at the Emirates, transforming him from a scrutinized figure into a beloved focal point of the Arsenal attack.
7. Olivier Giroud
- Arsenal: 2012-2017 (Apps: 237 | Min: 15098 | Gls: 96 | Ast: 34), Chelsea: 2017-2020 (Apps: 119 | Min: 5744 | Gls: 39 | Ast: 14)
Olivier Giroud remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing and criminally underrated target men in Premier League history. At Arsenal, the French striker delivered over a century of goal contributions, characterized by sublime first-touch link-up play and a Puskas-winning scorpion kick.
Forced out by the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Giroud crossed to Chelsea in January 2018. He became the ultimate big-game player for the Blues, leading the line to FA Cup, Europa League (scoring emphatically against Arsenal in the final), and Champions League triumphs, cementing his status as a cult hero for both factions of the capital.
8. Cesc Fàbregas
- Arsenal: 2004-2010 (Apps: 267 | Min: 21311 | Gls: 48 | Ast: 83), Chelsea: 2014-2018 (Apps: 199 | Min: 14490 | Gls: 22 | Ast: 57)
Cesc Fàbregas represents one of the most emotional cross-city allegiances.
Plucked from La Masia, Fàbregas became the heartbeat and youngest captain of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, orchestrating the midfield with unparalleled vision and passion. Following a return to Barcelona, Arsenal passed on their first-refusal buy-back option in 2014.
Jose Mourinho ruthlessly capitalized, bringing the Spanish maestro to Chelsea. Fàbregas immediately transformed Chelsea’s attack, forming a lethal telepathic partnership with Diego Costa. He orchestrated two Premier League title victories for the Blues, leaving Arsenal fans with the painful sight of their former prodigy lifting major silverware in royal blue.
9. Ashley Cole
- Arsenal: 1999-2005 (Apps: 201 | Min: 16916 | Gls: 9 | Ast: 16), Chelsea: 2006-2013 (Apps: 292 | Min: 25341 | Gls: 7 | Ast: 24)
The transfer that arguably birthed modern Premier League hostility. Ashley Cole emerged from the Arsenal academy to become a foundational pillar of the legendary 2003-04 “Invincibles”. However, an acrimonious contract dispute led to a toxic exit, famously dubbed the “Cashley” saga.
Moving to Chelsea in 2006 (with William Gallas going the other way), Cole elevated his game to become arguably the greatest left-back in history. His flawless defensive positioning and overlapping runs were instrumental in Chelsea claiming every major domestic and European honor available over an incredibly dominant eight-year span.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Arsenal: 2017-2021 (Apps: 163 | Min: 12880 | Gls: 92 | Ast: 20), Chelsea: 2022 (Apps: 21 | Min: 957 | Gls: 3 | Ast: 1)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was an electrifying force for Arsenal, single-handedly carrying the team’s attacking output for several seasons. As club captain, his brace in the 2020 FA Cup final delivered Mikel Arteta his first trophy. Unfortunately, disciplinary breaches led to his captaincy being stripped and a subsequent move to Barcelona.
A mere six months later, Thomas Tuchel lured him back to London with Chelsea. The reunion was short-lived; Tuchel was sacked shortly after Aubameyang’s arrival, leaving the striker marginalized under subsequent management. His brief Chelsea stint yielded minimal impact before he departed for Marseille.
11. Danny Welbeck
- Arsenal: 2014-2019 (Apps: 126 | Gls: 32 | Ast: 15), Chelsea: 2026-Present (Apps: 0 | Gls: 0 | Ast: 0)
In a shock move that dominated the headlines in August 2026, Danny Welbeck officially became the 21st player to join this exclusive list. Signing for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea from Brighton, the veteran forward brought immediate Premier League experience and tactical discipline to a young squad.
Welbeck previously spent five years at Arsenal, having signed from Manchester United in 2014 on deadline day. His Arsenal tenure was marked by crucial goals- including a dramatic last-minute winner against Leicester City, but was frequently interrupted by severe knee injuries.
Now in the twilight of his career, this unexpected Chelsea chapter adds a fascinating layer to his London legacy.
12. Others Players Who Played for Both Chelsea and Arsenal
| Player Name | Arsenal Years | Arsenal Apps (MP) | Chelsea Years | Chelsea Apps (MP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Anelka | 1996-1998 | 72 | 2007-2011 | 162 |
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | 2025 | 12 | 2018-2022 | 163 |
| Yossi Benayoun | 2011 | 22 | 2010-2012 | 20 |
| Lassana Diarra | 2007 | 10 | 2005-2006 | 20 |
| William Gallas | 2006-2009 | 127 | 2001-2005 | 194 |
| Omari Hutchinson | 2020-2021 | 18 | 2022 | 23 |
| David Luiz | 2019-2020 | 73 | 2010-2018 | 218 |
| Emmanuel Petit | 1997-1999 | 100 | 2001-2003 | 60 |
| David Rocastle | 1991 | 4 | 1994-1995 | 29 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): All Players Who Played for Both Chelsea and Arsenal
Q: Who was the most successful player to play for both Arsenal and Chelsea?
A: Ashley Cole and Cesc Fàbregas are widely considered the most successful. Cole was a crucial part of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” before winning the Champions League and multiple league titles with Chelsea. Fàbregas captained Arsenal brilliantly and later became the creative engine behind two Premier League titles for Chelsea.
Q: Are there any female players who have played for both clubs?
A: Yes. Lauren James is a notable inclusion in the shared history. She made 5 appearances for Arsenal in 2017 before eventually moving to Chelsea in 2021, where she developed into a global superstar and attacking centerpiece.
Q: Which player moved directly between the two clubs as part of a swap deal?
A: The most famous direct exchange occurred in 2006 during the Ashley Cole saga. Cole transferred to Chelsea from Arsenal, with French center-back William Gallas moving in the opposite direction to join the Gunners.
Q: Is Danny Welbeck the first player to represent Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United?
A: No, he is actually the second player in history to represent all three of these prestigious clubs. Following his 2026 transfer to Stamford Bridge, Welbeck joins an incredibly exclusive club alongside legendary figure George Graham, who played for Chelsea (1964-1966), Arsenal (1966-1972), and Manchester United (1972-1974).
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