Arsenal continue to buy Chelsea players – is it wise?

Arsenal and Chelsea are undoubtedly London’s most successful football clubs, with their rivalry dating back more than a century.

The rivalry gained serious momentum when Chelsea underwent the takeover by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in the early 2000’s.

Dramatic moments, lots of aggression and highly competitive derbies have been the signature of the games when these two teams clashed.

The rivalry

In recent years the derby seems to be losing the charm it once had with it being pretty one sided in favour of the Gunners. However, Arsenal signing six of Chelsea’s players in just over half a decade seems to be adding some spice to the game.

Signing players from your rivals is a huge thing to do about when you put into perspective transfers like Luis Figo from Barcelona to Real Madrid and Van Persie from Arsenal to Manchester United.

However, Arsenal are signing players from Chelsea and are thereby helping them in multiple ways. Firstly, aiding them in getting rid of unwanted players, assisting them in their wage bill and allowing Chelsea to make a profit on players who they believe have reached their ceiling on the pitch.

Secondly, pumping in huge amounts of money into city rivals which will ultimately be used to sign reinforcements from the transfer market.

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Arsenal have spent as much as €150 million on transfer fees for Chelsea products under Mikel Arteta in the past six years. Here is a list of Arsenal’s signings from sworn rivals and Premier League challengers –

Noni Madueke

Latest arrival having signed for the Gunners this summer window.

Madueke arrives with a hefty price tag of €58 million and will have a lot of hopes pinned on him at the Emirates stadium but Arteta clearly feels there is a big upside to the winger’s game.

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz made the switch to the red side of London after a poor start to life in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

In June 2023, Arsenal coughed up €75 million to secure his services.

Jorginho

The Italian midfielder made the switch six months before Havertz and was signed by Arsenal for a fee of €11.5 million.

He has moved on as a free-agent now after a solid if not spectacular stint for Arsenal.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

One of the two arrivals from Chelsea this summer, Kepa was signed for a fee of €5.8 million which could be a huge bargain given he cost over £70million when Chelsea signed him first.

The Spaniard would seek to redeem himself during another stint in London after a solid campaign for Bournemouth.

Willian

Willian was signed on a free transfer after the Brazilian winger announced his departure from Chelsea on Twitter (now renamed X).

The Brazilian had a poor spell for Arsenal leading to them moving him on after just one season in North London. He has since enjoyed two good spells at Chelsea’s West London rivals Fulham.

Raheem Sterling

The English international arrived at the beginning of last season and has already boarded the train back to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal did not exercise their option to buy Sterling who only made 7 PL appearances.

The question is who will be next?

The Arsenal braintrust obviously see something in the players they sign from Chelsea which their rivals do not. With the exception of Willian and Sterling, the likes of Kai Havertz and Jorginho have done well under Arteta and you would expect Noni Madueke to follow suit as there is no doubt he is a talent and Kepa looks like a steal.