Tottenham fans like to make fun of the apparently friendly relationship between their two most bitter enemies.
While the rivalry between Spurs and both clubs is fierce, there doesn’t seem to be as much animosity between Chelsea and Arsenal, especially off the pitch. While the thought of dealing with the Blues (and vice versa) is enough to make Daniel Levy vomit, the West London top brass have been quite content swapping personnel with Tottenham’s North London rivals over the last 20 years.
Kai Havertz, signed by Chelsea for £75m from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, became the eighth player to move directly from the Blues to Arsenal. Here’s a reminder of the rest.
William Gallas / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
Gallas became the first to trade Stamford Bridge for the Emirates in the Premier League, when he was included in a partial swap deal that saw Ashley Cole move in the opposite direction.
The Frenchman made more than 100 appearances for the Gunners over four years and captained the club for much of his tenure, but he never came close to reaching the heights that Cole achieved at Chelsea.
His move to Tottenham in 2010 did little to enhance Gallas’ legacy at Arsenal.
Lassana Diarra / Laurence Griffiths/GettyImages
It did little to presage that Diarra would go on to make more than 100 appearances for Real Madrid during the formative stage of his Premier League career.
The French midfielder barely played for Chelsea before signing for Arsenal on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2007. His luck did not improve in north London, however, where he only lasted five months before moving to Portsmouth in half of his first season.
Yossi Benayoun / Julian Finney/GettyImages
The Israeli superstar had become a Premier League professional when he signed for Arsenal in 2011.
Benayoun rose to prominence in the Premier League during an impressive two-year spell at West Ham, which earned him a move to Liverpool in 2007. In 2010 he joined Chelsea, but a ruptured Achilles hampered him from the start. gain a foothold at Stamford Bridge.
Thus, he was loaned out twice during his three-year stay at the Blues. Benayoun spent the 2011/12 season at Arsenal, where he proved to be a useful option for Arsene Wenger. The skilled winger has scored four goals in 19 Premier League games.
Petr Cech / James Baylis – AMA/GettyImages
Cech’s brilliance behind the sticks at Stamford Bridge had established him as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history. The Czech goalkeeper won it all with Chelsea, and there’s no denying that he was well above his best when he transferred to Arsenal in 2015.
Nonetheless, Cech started strong in north London and won his fourth Gold Glove in 2015/16. However, his defects (low level of possession of the ball) began to manifest themselves during the second year and by the third year it was evident that his retirement was imminent.
After becoming the first goalkeeper to keep 200 clean sheets in the Premier League in March 2018, he was usurped by Bernd Leno as the club’s number one and finally hung up his gloves at the end of the 2018/19 season.
Arsenal FC v Chelsea FC – Premier League / Robin Jones/GettyImages
The most chaotic of characters. The best and worst of David Luiz came out at Chelsea, and Arsenal supporters enjoyed the latter more, although there were some bright moments and some good runs.
While the Brazilian was instrumental in allowing Mikel Arteta’s side to play from behind, it was never a long-term solution for Arsenal’s new manager, leaving the club after just two seasons, in 2021.
Willian / Visionhaus/GettyImages
After enjoying an excellent 2019/20 campaign at a youth Chelsea side weighed down by transfer bans, Willian opted not to extend his stay in west London, opting instead to join Arsenal on a three-year deal. .
The Brazilian’s acquisition was considered smart and shrewd by many at the time, but Willian’s spell at Arsenal couldn’t have gone much worse.
The player would later state that despite his initial enthusiasm, he was “never happy” in north London, describing his season with the Gunners as “the worst he had ever had as a professional”.
Jorginho / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Arsenal’s project under Arteta’s leadership has evolved considerably since he first dealt with the likes of David Luiz and Willian.
The club wanted to bring Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo into their ranks midway through the 2022/23 season, but the Seagulls’ monstrous valuation forced them to change course.
The Gunners opted for the accomplished Jorginho in a deal worth £13m and despite a mixed reception upon his arrival, the Italy international enjoyed a promising start to his Arsenal career. He brought stability in midfield, certainly improving development, and scored a spectacular goal in the dying minutes of a 4-2 win over Aston Villa.
Kai Havertz / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Havertz is the latest to trade west for north London and many are enthusiastic about his prospects under Arteta.
The German’s spell at Chelsea was indifferent, despite the fact that he scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final.
The child prodigy who stood out at Bayer Leverkusen was rarely seen at Stamford Bridge, and now Arteta is on a mission to squeeze every last drop of talent out of him.
The Gunners are willing to shell out £65m to bring him to the Emirates, suggesting Arteta envisions himself with the potential to oversee a major comeback.
2023-07-04 12:38:13
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