Arsenal and Chelsea have spent £175m signing each other's players in PL era and one club is clear winner
Arsenal's recent trend of signing players from Chelsea came to an end this summer, with no player making the switch from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates for the first time in three years.
Mikel Arteta's side spent close to £200 million on Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Piero Hincapie and Ezri Konsa, while Chelsea finished the window £67.3 million in profit after generating £409.7 million from player sales.
The biggest arrival was Morgan Rogers for £117 million and by far the biggest departure was Enzo Fernandez, who joined Manchester City on deadline day for a joint-British-record fee of £125 million,
Arsenal are said to have rejected a late approach from Chelsea for Martin Zubimendi, meaning there was no business conducted between both clubs, a year after Noni Madueke and Kepa switched sides.
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Both teams will come up against each other on Sunday afternoon, when the Gunners host Xabi Alonso's men, and it got us thinking about transfers between two of England's biggest clubs.
Who has spent more on the other's players?
Arsenal by a country mile. The Gunners have spent a total of £154 million on Chelsea players over the years, with deals to sign Kai Havertz (£65m), Noni Madueke (£48.5m + £3.5m in add-ons) and Jorginho (£12m) being the most expensive.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have spent just £23 million on Arsenal players, with Olivier Giroud being the most costly at £18 million. Ashley Cole, of course, was signed in exchange for £5 million and William Gallas.
Who got the best deal?
A tricky question. You could argue the previously mentioned Cole was the best value for money at £5 million plus Gallas.
After playing such a pivotal role for Arsenal in the early to mid 00's, he went on to win a Premier League title, four FA Cups, the Champions League and a Europa League with Chelsea.
Petr Cech's move from Chelsea to Arsenal in 2015 was another steal at £10 million. He won the Golden Glove award in his first season at the club and went on to make 139 appearances across all competitions.
Olivier Giroud, who switched sides in January 2018 for £18 million, was another solid deal. He memorably scored against his former club in the 2019 Europa League final.
Which club benefited most overall?
Over the years, Arsenal have been far more active when it comes to transfers between both clubs, but there is a strong argument that Chelsea have benefited most, despite the mismatch in volume.
Olivier Giroud, Ashley Cole and William Gallas all made significant contributions at Chelsea, while a handful of players struggled to perform at Arsenal, including Raheem Sterling and Jorginho, who were certainly past their best.
Here is a list of transfers between both clubs in full, including youth players such as Michael Olise, Eddie Nketiah and Brooke Norton-Cuffy.
Chelsea to Arsenal
Noni Madueke (2025) — £48.5m + £3.5m add-ons (up to £52m)
Kepa Arrizabalaga (2025) — £5m
Raheem Sterling (2024) — Loan
Kai Havertz (2023) — £65m
Jorginho (2023) — £12m
Willian (2020) — Free
David Luiz (2019) — £8m
Petr Cech (2015) — £10m
Yossi Benayoun (2011) — Loan
Lassana Diarra (2007) — £2m
Total spent: £154m (including reported add-ons)
Chelsea to Arsenal (youth players)
Marcell Washington (2025) — Free
Joshua Tahou (2023) — Fee unknown
Amani Richards (2021) — Fee unknown
Kamarni Ryan (2020) — Fee unknown
Jason Sraha (2019) — Fee unknown
Alexéi Rojas (2019) — Free
Zech Medley (2016) — Free
Brooke Norton-Cuffy (2016) — Fee unknown
Eddie Nketiah (2015) — Free
Malcolm Ebiowei (2015) — Free
Renny Smith (2013) — Free
Rugare Musendo (2012) — Free
Michael Obafemi (2012) — Free
Ian Poveda (2010) — Free
Arsenal to Chelsea
Olivier Giroud (2018) – £18m
Ashley Cole (2006) – £5m + William Gallas in exchange
William Gallas – Swap (no separate fee)
Total spent: £23 million
Arsenal to Chelsea (youth players)
Omari Hutchinson (2022) — Fee unknown
Michael Olise (2009) — Free
James Russell (2004) — Free
Topics: Arsenal, Chelsea, Premier League
Jack Kenmare