Jorginho, Willian, David Luiz and 2 Others Who Swapped Chelsea for Arsenal

Jorginho, Willian, David Luiz and 2 Others Who Swapped Chelsea for Arsenal

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:24 PM
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  • Chelsea and Arsenal have shared many of the same players over the years
  • Jorginho is making a move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium
  • Sports Brief takes a look at the top footballers who charted a similar path

Arsenal's rivalry with Chelsea intensified in the mid-2000s, following Ashley Cole's unceremonious switch from north to west London.

For good measure, Jose Mourinho's never-ending tactical tussle with Arsene Wenger and pre-game banter stoked the already existing fire between the two London clubs.

Jorginho, Willian, David Luiz, Arsenal, switch, Chelsea
Jorginho headlines a high-profile list of players who swapped Chelsea for Arsenal. Photo credit: @Arsenal @FabrizioRomano
Source: Twitter

Despite the rivalry between both sides, it has not stopped the ease at which players cross to and from north and west London.

Highlighting the swapping of the blue side of London for the red half of the capital is Jorginho's most recent switch from Chelsea to Arsenal.

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Mikel Arteta's charges, who could end their Premier League title drought this campaign, shored up their roster with the acquisition of the Italian in the January transfer window.

According to the Sun, the Euro 2020 winner is the 31st player to switch between the capital clubs following his transfer, and the ninth of the Premier League era.

Jorginho's move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium is not the first transaction between the two sides, nor will it be the last.

Sports Brief takes a look at the top five players who swapped Chelsea for Arsenal.

Willian

Willian, Arsenal, Chelsea, transfer
Willian swapped Chelsea for Arsenal in 2020, where he lasted for only a season. Photo credit: @ChelseaFC @Arsenal
Source: Twitter

The Brazilian winger traded Chelsea for Arsenal after spending seven trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge.

Willian, who made 234 appearances in total for the Blues, joined the Gunners in 2020 on a free transfer.

Unfortunately for the 34-year-old, his stint at Arsenal lasted only a season before he headed back to his native Brazil.

He has since returned to the Premier League, playing for another London club - Fulham.

David Luiz

David Luiz, Chelsea, Arsenal, transfer
David Luiz completed his move from west to north London in 2019, where he helped Arsenal win the FA Cup. Photo credit: @Arsenal James Williamson/Getty Images
Source: Twitter

The erratic defender had a hugely successful stint at Chelsea across two spells, before joining Arsenal in 2019.

Luiz, who won the Premier League title, Champions League, two Europa Leagues, and two FA Cups, had a mixed stint with the Gunners.

Unlike Willian, David managed to pick up a title with Arsenal, but swiftly moved from hero to zero after a disastrous performance against Manchester City, which marked the beginning of his end at the club.

Petr Cech

Chelsea, Petr Cech, Arsenal
Petr Cech retired after playing for four years with Arsenal in 2019. Photos by VI Images and Chelsea FC.
Source: Getty Images

One of Mourinho's early signings at Chelsea, Petr Cech had an illustrious 11-year period with Chelsea, winning a plethora of trophies.

Cech then opted to join London rivals Arsenal, where the shot-stopper clinched an FA Cup title to add to his impressive trophy cabinet.

It is worth noting that at the Emirate Stadium, Cech became the only goalkeeper to surpass the 200 clean sheet mark in the Premier League, per the Analyst.

William Gallas

William Gallas, Arsenal, Chelsea
William Gallas left Stamford Bridge as part of the deal which saw Ashley Cole go in the opposite direction. Photos by Michael Steele and Etsuo Hara.
Source: Getty Images

The Frenchman was part of a deal which ruffled the feathers of most Arsenal fans, following Ashley Cole heading the other way.

Gallas, who had won two Premier League titles across five seasons at Stamford Bridge, also spent half a decade with the Gunners which did not result in silverware.

He continued his love affair with London after heading to Arsenal's north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur after his time at the Emirates Stadium.

Jorginho

Jorginho, Chelsea, Arsenal
Jorginho signed an 18-month contract, with an option to extend for a further year on transfer deadline day. Photo credit: @FabrizioRomano @ChelseaFC
Source: Twitter

Now to the man of the moment, Jorginho. The Brazilian-born Italian becomes the latest to cross the west and north divide with his stunning £12-million move on transfer deadline day.

With the Premier League missing from his trophy cabinet, the 31-year-old midfielder would hope to play an integral role in Arsenal's title charge this campaign.

Jorginho's move benefits both parties

Sports Brief also reported on early claims of Arsenal preparing a deadline day move for Jorginho was shocking to say the least.

While not as surprising as Joao Cancelo ditching Man City for Bayern Munich, the potential transfer was not an expected one.

The move has been seen to make sense for all parties involved, with Chelsea embarking on a massive clean-out since Todd Boehly took over last summer.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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