Raheem Sterling’s loan move from Chelsea to Arsenal was one of the most eye-catching moves of the summer transfer window. Sterling’s star had undoubtedly fallen since those trophy-laden years at Manchester City, and the player and his representatives were clearly shaken into action upon the admission of Blues boss Enzo Maresca that the former England man would not secure playing minutes if he stayed at Stamford Bridge.
Upon the release of that news, the markets went into overdrive speculating Sterling’s next destination. The odds slipped on the forward joining Manchester United, even betting sites were caught unawares when the former City man signed for Arsenal on loan.
So how common are transfers between these two big London rivals? Well, as we will see, the Gunners love securing the services of a Chelsea player, although the success of the move has often varied. Here are some recent examples, and there are quite a few:
Kai Havertz – 2023
Sterling will find himself lining up next to a former Chelsea teammate in the shape of German striker Havertz. The former Leverkusen man moved to the Blues for an eye-catching fee in 2021, but in two years at the Bridge he failed to set the world alight, scoring only 19 times in 91 matches. Eyebrows were raised then when Gunner’s boss Mikel Arteta took on the then 24-year old to add further dynamism to his attack. After a slow start, things are starting to look good for both Havertz and his latest London team. The goals are beginning to flow again, perhaps inspiring Arteta to take a punt on another struggling Chelsea forward.
Jorginho – 2022
Sterling completes a hat trick of former Blues players in this current squad, the third of that triumvirate being midfielder Jorginho. A cultured playmaker, this is a player who enjoyed success at the Bridge before finding his options somewhat limited under the transfer chaos that has marked the Todd Boehly era in West London. Bought in originally as a squad player, Jorginho has proven to be adept at adding experience to this youthful and stylish Arsenal side under Arteta.
Willian – 2020
Brazilian forward Willian blazed a trail for attacking wide players heading to North London from West when he made the jump in 2020. A superb debut was somewhat of a false dawn however as the big-haired attacker soon began to struggle, scoring only one goal in 25 games before heading back to Brazil.
David Luiz – 2019
Speaking of big-haired Brazilians, Willian was simply taking his cue from his countrymen David Luiz, the defender joining the Gunners a year earlier. Luiz stayed for two years, lifting the FA Cup in the first of those, before also heading home.
Petr Cech – 2015
The big ‘keeper with the famous headgear will always be synonymous with Chelsea, where he played for eleven years. But many forget his subsequent four-year spell at the Gunners, where he won an FA Cup and also secured a Golden Glove award. Not bad going, and definitely an example of a success story.
Yossi Benayoun – 2011
Yossi Benayoun, who also represented West Ham, is a lower key member of this list. The midfielder moved to the Emirates on loan for the 2011/12 season, and contributed well, scoring four goals in 19 appearances in a campaign that ultimately saw the Gunners qualifying for the Champions League.
Lassana Diarra – 2007
The former Real Madrid man had a miserable time for the most part in England, suffering injury-ravaged campaigns that saw him limited to just 13 appearances in two seasons at Stamford Bridge. Why that injury record attracted Arsenal we do not know, but the Frenchman lasted just five months, and seven Premier League starts in North London before moving on to Portsmouth.
William Gallas – 2006
Gallas was part of the eye-catching Ashley Cole move from Arsenal to Chelsea – more of that later. Gallas had won two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, and made an impact at Arsenal too, staying for four seasons, captaining the club and making more than 100 appearances. The fact that he then moved to bitter rivals Spurs somewhat tarnishes the Frenchman’s legacy. There are not many players who can say they played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Two that went the other way
It’s not all been one way traffic. Olivier Giroud swapped the Emirates for Stamford Bridge back in 2018. After three FA Cup wins at the Emirates, the Frenchman secured three more trophies at the Bridge, and famously scored in the 2019 Europa League final win over his old club. Yet Giroud is not the most controversial mover between the two clubs. That honour falls to Cole, who after playing his part in the Invincibles campaign of 2003-04, later moved to the Bridge to secure more trophies, including the Champions League in 2012, cementing his position as perhaps the best player to feature for these two old rivals.