Chelsea will be hosting Arsenal at Stamford tonight in what will be an enticing match as both teams have different dreams to achieve this season.
While the Blues look destined to finish third, Arsenal must win the game if they harbor any ambitions of returning to the Champions League with Man United and Tottenham Hotspur all breathing on their neck.
This clash has been one of the most anticipated in the Premier League era and we look at the players who featured for both sides.
The Frenchman was brought to the Premier League by Arsene Wenger and was influential when Arsenal won the title in 1997-98. After three seasons in north London, he moved to Barcelona in 2000 but came back to Londo a year later with Chelsea.
Another Frenchman who was signed by Wenger for Arsenal. He had nine goals during the club’s title-winning campaign of 97-98 and then hit 19 in all competitions before moving to Real Madrid. He moved to Chelsea in 2008 where he scored 59 goals across five seasons and lifted another Premier League title, as well as two FA Cups.
The left-back was so influential for Arsenal in their Invincible team but broke the club’s heart when he crossed over to Stamford Bridge in 2006. He soon became a Chelsea icon, winning the Premier League and Champions League during his time with the club.
His spell at Chelsea was preceded by a dream move to Barcelona, and his early years at Arsenal were truly a joy to watch…
The Frenchman had little contribution to both clubs. He made 13 Premier League appearances for Chelsea before leaving for Arsenal, where he managed just seven.
Gallas moved to Arsenal when Cole had arrived at Chelsea. The French defender made the move to north London and enjoyed four solid – albeit trophyless – years under Wenger. He even made a more controversial switch in 2010 when he left Wenger for Tottenham.
Loan moves between Chelsea and Arsenal are rare, but that’s exactly what Israeli midfielder Benayoun did in 2011.
Chelsea legend Cech made the move to Arsenal in 2014 as he wanted more first tea football which was not being offered at Stamford Bridge. He was to get back to his former club where he currently serves as the acting performance advisor for the club.
Willian was a success at Chelsea, regularly reaching double figures for goals and assists during his seven seasons in west London. His spell at Arsenal was more disappointing despite starting his outing at North London with two assists on his debut against Fulham.
He scored just once for the Gunners and failed to find any consistency, leaving for Brazilian outfit Corinthians last summer.
The Brazilian Chelsea in 2011 for a fee of £21.5m but a huge bid of £50m from PSG in 2014 saw the Brazilian move on to Paris. Two years later, he was back at Chelsea, where he stayed for a further three seasons before moving to Arsenal for another two years. He is currently in his native Brazil representing Flamengo.
Giroud arrived in the Premier League from Montpellier in 2012 for Arsenal. He netted an impressive 105 goals in 253 appearances before the urge for more game time forced him to move to Chelsea in 2018. The Frenchman is now at Milan in Serie A, hoping to help his side to the title.
