Arsenal and Real Madrid have had quite the history over the years, with both teams being intertwined in several ways.
Whether it was Arsenal beating Real Madrid in 2006, or the many players that have played between the two teams, there have been plenty of meeting points between the clubs.
The current examples include Martin Odegaard, who left Los Blancos to join the Gunners, and Fede Valverde, who had a trial in north London before going on to join the Spanish giants.
Among those who have also crossed the divide between the sides is the late great Arsenal icon, Jose Antonio Reyes.
The move itself was sparked in rather bizarre circumstances, though.
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Jose Antonio Reyes made Real Madrid transfer claim during a radio prank call
Jose Antonio Reyes has gone down as an Arsenal legend for his three-year spell at the club.
Signed as a youngster from Sevilla, the Spaniard proved to be a promising option as he looked to make an impact on one of Arsene Wenger’s greatest-ever teams.
He was able to do that, but there were rumblings of discontent in 2005 when he was caught up in a transfer prank call.
Spanish radio outlet Cadena COPE had someone claiming to be Real Madrid director of football Emilio Butragueno call him to speak on behalf of the president.
While that wasn’t the case, Reyes got caught up in it, going on to admit that he would like to make a move to the club.
“I wish I was playing for Real Madrid,” he said in the prank call. “Hopefully, it could happen. I love the way Madrid play. I’m not happy with the way things are.”
Reyes hinted at discontent in the changing rooms at Highbury, claiming: “If I’m not [playing for Real Madrid] I’m going to have to carry on playing with some bad people.
“I’m sure there are none in the Real dressing room. I’m happy Madrid is interested in me because it has always been my dream since I was little to play there.”
In the end, Arsene Wenger defended the star, who went on to play for Arsenal for another two years.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 110 | 23 | 27 |
| Real Madrid | 38 | 7 | 4 |
The Arsenal boss said at the time: “It is normal that joining a big club of your country can be one of your dreams from your youth, it does not mean that he does not have another dream to come here, because it was his dream to play for Arsenal.
“I don’t have to say anything against the fact that every player has, in his home country, a club that he would like to play for.”
Emilio Butragueno slammed the situation set up by the radio station, with the hoax creating some headlines at the time.
Reyes did go on to join Real Madrid on loan in 2006 until 2007, before making the permanent exit from Arsenal to Atletico Madrid.
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Every player to feature for Arsenal and Real Madrid
There have been plenty of players to play for both Arsenal and Real Madrid over the years, with nine in total.
They are as follows:
- Nicolas Anelka
- Davor Suker
- Jose Antonio Reyes
- Emmanuel Adebayor
- Julio Baptista
- Lassana Diarra
- Mesut Ozil
- Dani Ceballos
- Martin Odegaard
Some of those players have had different impacts for each club, with some struggling and others thriving at each.
It remains to be seen who could be the next star to play for Arsenal and Real Madrid, but there have been plenty of links between the teams.
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