Players who played for Arsenal and Manchester United

Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez

Players who played for Arsenal and Manchester United

By Oli Dickson Jefford

There’s not much love lost between Arsenal and Manchester United on the pitch - but that doesn’t stop players crossing the divide and playing for both teams.

Over the years several have worn both the red of Manchester and the red of North London, with varying levels of success.

Ahead of tonight’s match, we look at a few of those who have represented both teams. 

Robin van Persie


We’ll start with one that was particularly controversial, with Van Persie joining Man Utd straight from the Gunners in 2012.

The Dutchman was an incredibly popular figure at the Emirates, scoring 132 goals in an eight-year spell and proving to be one of their standout performers for several seasons.

However, he caused the ire of fans when he left and went to Old Trafford for £22.5m, and ultimately won his first league title in the UK that year.

Van Persie departed Man Utd for Fenerbahçe in 2015 and retired after a final spell at Feyenoord in 2019.

Alexis Sanchez


Sanchez was another popular figure who left the Emirates for Old Trafford, but things didn’t work out quite as well for him.

The Chilean won two FA Cups and a Community Shield for Arsenal before heading north for what proved to be a disastrous spell at Man Utd.

He never really settled at the club, scoring just five goals in 45 appearances, and he ended up being loaned out to Inter Milan.

He was ultimately put out of his misery and sold to the Italian side on a permanent deal in 2020, having a much better time of it in Italy even picking up the Serie A title last season.

Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck


While van Persie and Sanchez headed to Man Utd from Arsenal, fellow striker Welbeck moved the other way.

Welbeck had a successful spell at his boyhood club with a league triumph, two EFL Cups, a Community Shield and a Club World Cup in his trophy cabinet from his time with the Red Devils.

However, towards the end of his time in Manchester he found himself on the bench regularly and moved to Arsenal in 2014 in search of more game time.

He won an FA Cup and Community Shield at Arsenal but much like at his previous club, he never quite reached his potential and was largely benched by the end of his time at the Emirates.

England international Welbeck spent a season at Watford after leaving Arsenal in 2018, and now plays for Brighton.

George Graham


We’re going back a bit for this one. 

Despite a managerial spell at Tottenham later in his career, George Graham proved to be one of Arsenal’s greatest players and managers - but also played for the Red Devils.

Graham made over 300 league appearances for the Gunners in the league and was part of the side that won a historic First Division and FA Cup double in 1971.

However, it was not too long after that that he made the move up north, joining Man Utd in December 1972.

Things did not go to plan there as the side were relegated to the Second Division –the last time United suffered a demotion.

He did return to North London to manage Arsenal from 1986 to 1995 and was hugely successful, winning eight trophies during that time - including two league titles. 

Image Credit: Getty Images

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