Přestupy z Chelsea do Arsenalu: jak se jim zatím daří

Despite their status as fierce London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea have not shied away from conducting business with one another off the pitch. While both clubs hold a shared disdain for Tottenham Hotspur, their cordial dealings over the years have softened what might otherwise be a hostile relationship.

The first direct transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal took place in 1953, when Billy Dickson made the switch from west to north London. Since then, a total of 17 senior players have crossed the divide, with Arsenal often picking up players deemed surplus to requirements by the Blues.

In the summer of 2025, Kepa Arrizabalaga became the latest name to trade Stamford Bridge for the Emirates. He was expected to be joined by winger Noni Madueke—another move that polarised the Gunners’ fanbase, especially considering the mixed record of former Chelsea players at the club.

Below is a detailed look at every player to join Arsenal directly from Chelsea during the Premier League era, and how each fared after making the switch.

William Gallas

French defender William Gallas is the only footballer to have represented Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham—the big three London clubs. His move to Arsenal was part of the deal that took Ashley Cole to Chelsea in 2006.

At Chelsea, Gallas had racked up 159 Premier League appearances. With Arsenal, he made over 100 league appearances, controversially wearing the No. 10 shirt following Dennis Bergkamp’s retirement.

Gallas’ stint in north London was turbulent. Appointed captain, he was later stripped of the armband after a public outburst following a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City in 2008—the infamous match where Eduardo suffered a horrific leg break. Gallas left Arsenal on a free and further strained his relationship with fans by joining Tottenham.

Lassana Diarra

Lassana Diarra’s nomadic career saw him feature for clubs like Real Madrid, PSG and even Al Jazira Club, but his time in England was underwhelming.

Arsenal acquired Diarra from Chelsea at the end of the 2007 summer transfer window. He had made just 13 league appearances for the Blues, and under Arsène Wenger, only featured seven times in the Premier League.

Struggling for game time, Diarra moved on quickly and joined Portsmouth in January 2008—just months after signing for the Gunners.

Yossi Benayoun

Yossi Benayoun enjoyed a solid Premier League career with West Ham and Liverpool before Chelsea signed him. However, opportunities were scarce at Stamford Bridge, leading to a loan spell at Arsenal during the 2011–12 season.

Benayoun made 19 league appearances for Arsenal and captained the side on several occasions. His experience and leadership were welcome additions to Wenger’s dressing room, although his time at the club lasted just a single season before returning to Chelsea.

Petr Čech

Considered by many as one of the Premier League’s greatest goalkeepers, Petr Čech’s legacy was cemented at Chelsea, where he made 333 top-flight appearances, won 13 major honours, and secured three Golden Glove awards.

In 2015, with Thibaut Courtois emerging as Chelsea’s first-choice keeper, Čech was sold to Arsenal for £10 million. He proved his worth by claiming a fourth Golden Glove in his debut season at the Emirates. While his form declined in later years, he did help Arsenal win an FA Cup before retiring in 2019.

David Luiz

Often remembered for his erratic style, David Luiz’s tenure at Arsenal was more reliable than many recall. Signed from Chelsea in 2019, he brought much-needed experience to a shaky Gunners backline.

Luiz had already won a Champions League and Premier League title with Chelsea. At Arsenal, he made over 50 league appearances in two seasons. While his performances weren’t faultless, he was arguably Arsenal’s most dependable defender during that time.

Willian

Willian’s Arsenal spell began with optimism when he joined on a free transfer in 2020. His debut against Fulham in the 2020–21 season showed early promise, but things rapidly deteriorated.

The Brazilian winger admitted later that he struggled with “motivation” during games played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He left after just one season, describing his time at Arsenal as the “worst” of his career.

Jorginho

During the 2022–23 season, Arsenal sought to sign Moisés Caicedo but were priced out by Brighton. As a result, they turned to a more affordable option—Jorginho.

Though he was never a consistent starter under Mikel Arteta, the Italian international became a valuable squad member and on-field leader when called upon. Jorginho extended his stay by a year in 2024 but eventually departed as a free agent in the summer of 2025.

Kai Havertz

Arsenal raised eyebrows when they paid £65 million for Kai Havertz in 2023. The German had underwhelmed during his time at Chelsea despite a big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Initially tasked with filling Granit Xhaka’s midfield role, Havertz struggled to adapt. Arteta then repositioned him as a striker, and Havertz gradually found form. He played a key role in Arsenal’s title challenge during the latter half of the 2023–24 campaign, though questions remain about his long-term suitability up front.

Raheem Sterling

One of the most recent acquisitions from Chelsea, Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan in 2024. The move, completed in haste late in the transfer window, was seen as a stopgap to cover Bukayo Saka and bolster attacking depth.

Despite having previously worked under Arteta at Manchester City, Sterling failed to make any impact. His 2024–25 campaign was largely anonymous, and he is now widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s poorest signings in recent history.

Závěr

While some players have proved valuable additions, Arsenal’s record when signing from Chelsea remains a mixed bag. From legends like Petr Čech to flops like Willian and Sterling, the north London club continues to gamble with Stamford Bridge outcasts—sometimes to success, but more often to regret.