It is not often that a player will move from one traditional "big six" club to another, and it is even more rare when it happens twice in one transfer window.
But Kepa and Noni Madueke's moves from Chelsea to Arsenal this month took the total of players signed from the Blues by Gunners manager Mikel Arteta to six in five-and-a-half years.
We take a look at these and other notable players who switched between the two London clubs in the Premier League era.
Kepa (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2025)
After 163 appearances for Chelsea where he won four major honours, including the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, the goalkeeper made the switch to Arsenal ahead of the 2025/26 season.
He had spent the last two seasons away from Stamford Bridge, with loan spells at Real Madrid and Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Kepa is expected to provide competition for fellow Spaniard David Raya in goal at Arsenal.
Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea, 2006)
Arguably the biggest name to move between the two clubs, Cole joined Chelsea in 2006 after coming through the ranks at Arsenal and winning two Premier League titles, with the second of those as part of the "Invincibles", going the 2003/04 season unbeaten.
Cole enjoyed further success at Stamford Bridge, winning another league title, four FA Cups, a League Cup, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, cementing his legacy as one of the best left-backs of the Premier League era.
Kai Havertz (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2023)
Havertz thrived under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, etching his name into club history with the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.
But once Tuchel was gone and Graham Potter took over at Stamford Bridge, Havertz struggled in a system that no longer suited him. The German moved to Arsenal, where, under Arteta, he has rediscovered his rhythm and consistency, becoming a key piece in the Gunners’ ongoing push for Premier League glory.
David Luiz (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2019)
A Premier League winner with Chelsea in 2016/17, David Luiz made the switch to Arsenal in the summer of 2019.
He lifted the FA Cup with the Gunners in his first season at the club under Arteta, but his stay in north London was short-lived, with the centre-back returning to his native Brazil in 2021, joining Flamengo.
Jorginho (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2023)
Jorginho was a key cog in Tuchel’s Chelsea machine, orchestrating play from deep as the Blues lifted both the Champions League and the European Super Cup in 2021.
But when Tuchel was shown the door, the Italian midfielder’s influence diminished and Jorginho set his sights across London, lured by the red of Arsenal and the promise of Arteta’s ambitious project. He stayed for two years, an important experienced head on and off the pitch before returning to the country of his birth, Brazil.
William Gallas (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2006)
As part of the deal that led to Cole moving to Chelsea, Gallas joined Arsenal.
After winning two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, the French defender spent four seasons with the Gunners, making 101 league appearances, before moving to a third London club, Tottenham Hotspur, in 2010.
Petr Cech (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2015)
The Czech goalkeeper won the lot at Chelsea; four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
He moved to Arsenal in 2015 and won the Golden Glove award in his first season at the club, keeping 16 clean sheets, before picking up another FA Cup winners' medal in 2016/17.
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal to Chelsea, 2018)
Although Giroud struggled to hit the heights of the striker he replaced at Arsenal, Robin van Persie, he did win the FA Cup three times for the Gunners.
The Frenchman made the move to Chelsea in 2018, and while he often struggled to hold down a first-team place, Giroud did pick up FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League winners' medals with the Blues, including scoring against Arsenal in the Europa League final.
Willian (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2020)
The Brazilian winger was an important member of Chelsea's title-winning sides in 2014/15 and 2016/17.
Despite starring on his Arsenal debut after joining on a free transfer, assisting two goals in a 3-0 win at Fulham, he only managed one goal and three assists over his subsequent 24 appearances before re-joining his boyhood club Corinthians in 2021.
Lassana Diarra (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2007)
Limited to only 13 PL appearances in two years at Chelsea, Diarra was sold to Arsenal in 2007.
The French midfielder was also unable to establish himself at Emirates Stadium, featuring only seven times in the league before joining Portsmouth five months later.
Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2011)
A fringe player at Chelsea, Benayoun moved on loan to Arsenal for the 2011/12 season.
The Israeli enjoyed more success in north London, scoring four goals in 19 appearances, and his influence helped the Gunners finish third and qualify for the Champions League.