Goalkeeper poised to join for €5.9m
For many Arsenal supporters, Chelsea is often viewed as a major rival alongside Tottenham. While there is some resentment toward Manchester United and Liverpool, the rivalry with Chelsea has also seen notable tension. Interestingly, this animosity hasn’t fully transitioned into the transfer market. In recent years, several players have shifted from Chelsea to Arsenal, and it appears that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga may be the next addition.
Reports suggest that Arsenal is ready to trigger Arrizabalaga’s €5.9m release clause, bringing him to the Emirates as a backup to David Raya. The Spaniard was transferred to Chelsea for a record €80m in 2018, maintaining his status as the most expensive goalkeeper in football history. Once this deal is finalized, Arsenal will have acquired eight notable players from Chelsea in the past decade, though it’s fair to say that many have struggled to make their mark at the club.
Chelsea players acquired by Arsenal in the last decade
The highest-profile transfer between the two clubs occurred in 2023 when Arsenal signed German forward Kai Havertz for €75m. He has since netted 29 goals and provided 13 assists in 87 appearances, making him one of the more successful signings from Chelsea. Following him is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who joined Arsenal for €14m in 2015. Although he was a legend at Chelsea, his time at Arsenal was marked by inconsistency.
Jorginho’s €11.3m transfer to Arsenal in January 2023 has proven beneficial, as the Italian midfielder has brought much-needed experience and solid performances to the team. David Luiz, who moved to Arsenal for €8.7m during the 2019/20 season, had a tumultuous stint characterized by inconsistency and three red cards in just 73 outings. The anticipated signing of Arrizabalaga will mark the fifth most expensive deal from Chelsea to Arsenal in the last ten years, and given his experience as a backup, it could be a savvy acquisition for €5.9m.
Willian arrived at Arsenal as a free agent in 2020 but was far from successful, scoring just one goal in 37 appearances before parting ways. Another noteworthy transfer was Eddie Nketiah, who switched from Chelsea’s youth ranks to Arsenal’s Hale End Academy in 2015. Additionally, Raheem Sterling’s loan from Chelsea in the last summer window was considered a low-risk move, as the English forward underperformed significantly, especially during an injury crisis in the squad.