Nicolas Jackson ripped Tottenham Hotspur to shreds the last time Chelsea visited the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, during the 2023/24 season

After a very promising start under new manager Ange Postecoglou back in 2023, Tottenham Hotspur were flying high. Despite Arsenal and Manchester City asserting their dominance like in the 2022/23 season, the Aussie manager had his own tricks up his sleeve.

Having been unbeaten for three months, that also saw them come unscathed at the Emirates Stadium in a heated North London derby, Spurs were looking like title contenders, come November 2023. However, things went awry, or in fact, have gone awry, ever since that wretched night at their home ground in early November.

Welcoming a struggling Chelsea, not many gave the Blues a chance in this London derby. Their newly-bought striker, Nicolas Jackson was firing blanks, and looked far from clinical (low on confidence too), even when he had the easiest of chances.

And once the match began, it looked like there was going to be only one winner. Dejan Kulusevski cut into the edge of the box, and his attempted shot took a deflection and found its way into the back of the net, putting Spurs 1-0 up. However, Tottenham Hotspur’s highline began gaving themselves troubles, as Chelsea’s pacy attack began a wave of attacks after the 20th minute.

Raheem Sterling put the back of the net after an impressive run and a scrambling finish, only to be ruled out for a handball. However, this was only a sign of things to come. A few minutes later Moises Caicedo struck an impressive long-ranger, which was once again ruled out for offside (obstruction). In the process, in a major turn of things, the VAR found Cristian Romero guilty of committing a red-card offense inside the box.

The Argentine was sent off, and the penalty conceded was converted by the in-form Cole Palmer, who was getting into his groove back then. Spurs then saw off the half, with the scores level at 1-1.

Further chaos and Nicolas Jackson bursts into life

Just when it looked like Spurs could indeed put up a fight with 10-men, Destiny Udogie got his second yellow card in the 55th minute, and they were down to 9-men. Despite the setback, Postecoglou persisted with a high-line. Surprisingly, Chelsea’s attack remained neutralized until the 75th minute when Nicolas Jackson scored a tap-in, to make it 1-2 Chelsea. All hell brooke lose, fifteen minutes later as Jackson scored two more easily worked goals, to complete his hattrick.

The destruction of Spurs was complete. Since that loss, Spurs lost track of their then-successful season and their campaign soon derailed. They ended up finishing outside the top 4, and even until today, December of the 2024/25 season, they have not recovered, or have found form.

We take a look at 5 players who have played for both London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea since Mikel Arteta became the Gunners’ manager

Time has flown by. It’s almost been 5 years since Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal‘s manager. The Spaniard has done a commendable job since his appointment but failed to win major trophies, constantly coming under criticism whenever the North London side exits a tournament like the League Cup/FA Cup/Europa League and more recently the UEFA Champions League.

However, in this article, we will take a look at 5 players who have played for both Chelsea and Arsenal since Mikel Arteta took over. It is worth noting that most of the moves have happened from West London to North London and only few the other way.

Here is a look at 5 players who have played for Arsenal and Chelsea since Mikel Arteta became the Gunners’ manager.

Willian

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Willian was signed in the 2020/21 summer transfer window. Although the Brazilian came up with a decent amount of G/A throughout his stay with the West London club, he did have a large chunk of critics who were Chelsea fans. And when the then-32-year-old signed with the rival club, it was not welcomed. As expected, Willian’s stay at Arsenal was pretty dismal. In the 25 starts he made in the league, the winger scored just one goal, and left the club in the next season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

One of the greatest Arsenal strikers in the Emirates era, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was banging in goals at Arsenal for fun until it all began fizzling out towards the end of 2020. He soon fell out of favor with Mikel Arteta as well. By late 2021, he was slowly reduced to the bench. He eventually joined Barcelona in early 2022, before returning to London, in a shock move to Chelsea. However, the Gabonese never really got going at Chelsea, scoring just one goal in 15 league appearances.

Kai Havertz

Like many other Chelsea to Arsenal transfers, Kai Havertz’s arrival was also frowned upon by a large chunk of the Arsenal faithful. However, the German proved the naysayers/doubters wrong in his first season (2023/24), scoring 13 goals in 37 league appearances. He’s been decent so far in the 2024/25 season as well.

Jorginho

Jorginho’s contributions to Chelsea will never be forgotten. The Italian was one of the main men in the Blues’ stunning Champions League victory in the 2020/21 season. However, following manager Thomas Tuchel’s departure in 2022, Jorginho fell out of favor with the then-manager Graham Potter. And during early 2023, Arsenal were in dire need of a backup midfielder, and Mikel Arteta eventually bought him. He has since made 41 league appearances for Arsenal.

Raheem Sterling

The latest star to move from West London to North London, albeit on loan. Raheem Sterling, after two years at Chelsea, joined Arsenal on loan for the 2024-25 season. However, he has not been getting many starts.

The Chelsea XI that last managed to beat London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge looked completely different.

It’s that time of the year again. London Derby. A struggling Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge on the 10th of November, 2024. While the season started off pretty well for the Gunners, unnecessary red cards and injuries have thrown them into a rut.

The last 6 games have seen them just win twice, (one win coming in the EFL cup) and lose thrice, with one draw. With hardly any momentum on their side, they take on the Blues who are a place above them in the EPL table.

Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, have been quite good. Although they are level on points with Arsenal, it’s a much better start compared to the ones in recent seasons. They will be hoping to keep their good form going when they host the North London club.

However, history might not be on their side. It’s been a staggering 6 years since Chelsea last beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. A rather staggering fact. Both the teams looked very different back then, and here we take a look at how the Chelsea XI looked.

Here is all about how Chelsea looked when the last time they beat Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

GK – Kepa Arrizabalaga

Kepa Arrizabalaga was in his first year at Chelsea. While the Spaniard never lived up to the expectations of the Blues, he did make over 100 league appearances for them. While being a part of the club, he first went on loan to Real Madrid for the 2023/24 season, and now is on loan to Bournemouth.

LB – Marcos Alonso

Marcos Alonso was signed by Antonio Conte in 2016. His performances for Chelsea, especially in their title-winning 2016/17 can never be forgotten. After 6 years at the club, Alonso left for Barcelona in 2022. He now plays for Celta Vigo.

CB – Antonio Rudiger

Antonio Rudiger was an Antonio Conte signing as well. The German signed for Chelsea from Roma, and went on to be a key part of the club until 2022. He now plays for Real Madrid.

CB – David Luiz

David Luiz was in his second-three-year stint with Chelsea. In 2019, he joined Arsenal in a rather shock move. After 2 years at the North London club, he joined Flamengo, where he currently plays.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta will go down as one of the greatest Chelsea defenders of all time. The Spaniard made almost 350 league appearances for Chelsea, before leaving the club for Atletico Madrid in 2023.

CDM – Jorginho

Jorginho was an important player in Chelsea’s major wins, especially the UEFA Champions League in 2021. After almost 5 years at the club, he left for Arsenal in early 2023, where he currently plays.

CDM – N’Golo Kante

When Kante left in 2023, he left as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time. He now plays for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi League.

CM – Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley was in his second season at Chelsea, after having joined them in January 2018. He went on to be a part of the club until 2022. He then left for Nice, Luton Town, before going back to Aston Villa (was on loan from 2020-21), where he currently plays.

LW – Willian

Yet another Chelsea player who later joined Arsenal. After almost 8 years at Chelsea, the Brazilian joined the North London club in 2020. However, he was there only for a year, before joining Corinthians in 2021. He came back to the EPL, joining Fulham in 2022. He now plays for Olympiacos.

ST – Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata at Chelsea never worked out. After almost 4 years at the club, Morata joined Atletico Madrid in 2020, while also playing for Juventus from 2020-22 (on loan from Atletico). Morata currently plays for AC Milan.

RW – Pedro

Pedro’s contribution to Chelsea will never be forgotten. The underrated Spaniard always put in a shift when he was on the pitch. After 5 seasons at the club, Pedro joined Roma for one year. Since 2021, he has been a regular starter for Lazio.

The entire Chelsea XI that started at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal in 2018 is not a part of Chelsea now.