When West Ham United host Arsenal at the London Stadium on Sunday, it will be another reminder of the histroy between the two clubs.
While the Hammers and their North London rivals operate with different objectives, the weekend clash provides the former a chance to aid their survival whilst simultaneously serving as an opportunity for Arsenal to close in on the Premier League title.
Given there are over 250 years of history between the two clubs, there has been granted to be some crossover in talent. Here are the top ten players to have played for both London clubs – ranked.
10. Carl Jenkinson
Carl Jenkinson has had a quite unnoteworthy career. The journeyman full-back has played up and down the English pyramid, currently at League Two promoted Bromley, and largely served as a utility player for both clubs’ needs during the 2010s.
9. Konstantinos Mavropanos
Given his brief Arsenal career – registering only 8 senior games between 2017 and 2019 – Konstantinos Mavropanos‘ appearance on this list was granted to be limited. That said, the Irons’ centurion has completely flipped the narrative on his West Ham career since arriving under David Moyes in 2023.
The Greek defender has gradually become one of the club’s main assets, and though faced with the prospect of being relegated, it’s a guarantee that Mavropanos won’t be playing in the second tier.
8. Matthew Upson
In a similar fashion to Mavropanos, Matthew Upson’s career at the Gunners was a short one curtailed by injuries and competition at the time. Despite claiming a Premier League winners’ medal in 2002, it was in East London where Upson blossomed into the respectable top-flight center-back that he became.
7. John Hartson
Signed for a then-British record of £2.5 million for a teenager, John Hartson’s Arsenal career was a productive one under George Graham before the arrival of Dennis Bergkamp, scoring 14 goals in 53 games.
At West Ham, that understated productivity was more pronounced as the club’s record signing at the time. The Welshman’s departure after a training ground incident with Eyal Berkovic was a blemish on his otherwise commendable career.
6. Jack Wilshere
From a talent perspective, Jack Wilshere may be low for some, but as most know, the once England international’s issue has never been ability but more availability.
His rapid rise at Arsenal showcased the silky skill he possessed from a young age, but with constant injuries, his progress was mute. West Ham, like his stops at Bournemouth and Danish side Aarhus Gymnastikforening after, acted as an early retirement tour.
5. Łukasz Fabiański
Goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański went from being a backup at Arsenal to being a prominent player and leader at West Ham United. Known as “The Flying Pole,” he won the FA Cup with Arsenal before becoming a dependable No. 1 in east London with his high save volume helping the Hammers maintain their current top-flight status at stages.
4. Freddie Ljungberg
Freddie Ljungberg was one of the key figures during the Arsène Wenger era – key to their “Invincible” side aswell as emerging as one of the division’s best widemen.
Evidently, he had a single injury-plagued season at West Ham in 2007/08 before moving to MLS.
3. Ian Wright
One of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League and an icon of Arsenal, Ian Wright scored 185 goals in 288 appearances for the Gunners from 1991 to 1998, making him their all-time leading scorer at the time.
That scoring stardust would wear off upon arrival at West Ham; his 1998 season was labeled a “disappointment” by various observers.
2. Nigel Winterburn
If there was a word to characterise Nigel Winterburn’s career, it would be “consistent.” A mainstay of Arsenal from 1987 to 2000, Nigel Winterburn became one of the most accomplished full-backs England has seen, with three league titles, two FA Cups, and a European Cup Winners’ Cup. He concluded his career with a strong three-year stint at West Ham United.
1. Declan Rice
It wouldn’t be a list between these two sides if there wasn’t a mention of Declan Rice.
The West Ham academy graduate captained the club to their first European trophy in 58 years after securing the Conference League title in 2023. He would join Arsenal that summer and has since been an integral part of a team that has regained their status as one of Europe’s finest teams – with the chance to win a Premier League and European double this season.
He is also the only player on this list with triple-digit appearances for both clubs, which typifies his unwavering commitment to becoming one of the best English players of his genration.
