Last evening, Arsenal completed the signing of Kai Havertz in a £65 million deal, making him the eighth player to transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal in the Premier League era.
Although both clubs claim supremacy over London and make it look like there is a rivalry, the two clubs have exchanged players over time, but it has been Arsenal on the receiving end most of the time.
Soccer Scoop looks back on the other seven players that have transferred from the blue corner of London to the famous red and white in the Premier League era and how they faired during their time at the Emirates Stadium.
William Gallas
The French defender was the first Chelsea player to join Arsenal after completing a move across London in 2006. Gallas had made his name as an elite defender after winning back to back Premier League titles and when he arrived at Arsenal, he was given the no. 10 shirt that was previously won by club legend Dennis Bergkamp.
Gallas made 142 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions and scored 17 goals. He left for rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the end of his contract in 2010.
Lassana Diarra
“Lass”, as the back of his shirt read, joined Arsenal in August 2007 in a deal worth €2.9 million. However, the French defensive midfielder failed to cement a place in Arsenal’s starting lime up and was sent out on loan in January 2008 to Portsmouth after making just 12 appearances in all competitions.
His career would later take off after finding his way in Real Madrid and later Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) where he played regularly and won some silverware.
Yossi Benayoun
The Israeli midfielder joined Arsenal on deadline day in August 2011 on a season long loan from Chelsea. Benayoun’s game time at Arsenal was not a much as he would have loved but managed to make 25 appearances in all competitions and scored six goals.
His loan deal was never made permanent by Arsenal.
Petr Cech
A legendary Premier League goalkeeper, Cech won everything at Chelsea and when Arsenal came knocking in 2015, he seized the opportunity for change in a deal worth £10 million.
Cech’s experience quickly helped him become Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper and made a respectable 139 appearances in the four years he spent at The Emirates. He won the FA Cup with Arsenal as well.
David Luiz
David Luiz joined Arsenal in 2019 as one of the manager Unai Emery’s defensive reinforcements and signed a two-year deal. While at Arsenal, Luiz helped Arsenal win their first trophy in the post-Wenger era, an FA Cup in 2020 against former employers Chelsea.
In total, Luiz made 67 appearances and scored four goals for Arsenal.
Willian Borges da Silva
Another Chelsea player joined Arsenal was Willian. The Brazilian free agent was one of the players new manager Mikel Arteta brought in as he started his rebuilding of the club.
A magician at Chelsea, Willian failed to live up to expectations at Arsenal despite playing regularly (35 appearances, one goal) and agreed to terminate his contract with the club after just one season.
Jorginho
As Arsenal started sniffing the Premier League title last season, they brought in Jorginho from Chelsea as a midfield cover. Although he played some part in the title charge, Arsenal failed to maintain the table lead and ended up finishing the season as runners-up to Manchester City.
Jorginho is still at Arsenal, and is expected to help former teammate Kai Havertz settle in well in North London and help Arsenal contend for titles next season.
