Six players to play for Arsenal and Manchester United including bizarre swap deal and transfer villain

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Arsenal and Manchester United have had quite the rivalry over the years, with both teams getting into some heated battles.

Whether it’s Martin Keown’s celebrations in front of Ruud van Nistelrooy after he missed a decisive penalty or the pizza Cesc Fabregas threw at Sir Alex Ferguson, there has always been an edge to the clash.

Some brave players have decided to cross that divide, featuring for both Arsenal and Manchester United over the years.

From villainous strikers to a bizarre swap deal between the two teams, here’s a look at every star to play for both Arsenal and Man United in the Premier League era.

• READ MORE: Seven best Arsenal moments against Man United including Wenger at Old Trafford and Keown celebration

Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004 from Feyenoord, going on to become a clinical goal scorer at the Emirates Stadium.

The youngster developed into a deadly striker but after eight years, he made a decision that would change the course of history.

Van Persie switched from Arsenal to Manchester United in 2012, a move that angered many fans and still does to this day.

Alexis Sanchez

Fans will always have a special place in their heart for players who can make something special happen and Alexis Sanchez certainly fits in that category.

The Chilean international could play across the frontline for Arsenal, leaving plenty of memorable moments in his time at the club.

With the Gunners, Sanchez 166 appearances across all competitions, scoring 80 goals and assisting 44 in a ridiculous run of form.

His move to Manchester United in 2018 then came as a shock, involved in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way.

Sanchez didn’t impress in Manchester, making 45 appearances with just five goals and nine assists to his name before he left for Inter Milan.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan made the move to Arsenal in 2018 as part of a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez, coming as a surprise.

The midfielder struggled as he only spent a short time at the club before leaving to join AS Roma on a free transfer.

He made 59 appearances with nine goals and 12 assists for the Gunners.

Mikael Silvestre

Defender Mikael Silvestre was a star for Manchester United when he joined from Inter Milan in 1999.

He stayed for nine years before he joined Arsenal – where a two-year stay with the Gunners followed.

Danny Welbeck

Striker Danny Welbeck came through the ranks at Manchester United, going on to make over 100 appearances for the Red Devils.

In 2014 he made the switch to Arsenal, where he had some impressive moments but was impacted by injuries.

The forward has since featured heavily for Watford and Brighton, showing just how good he can be.

Ayden Heaven

Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven made his debut for the club in 2024, featuring the Carabao Cup to make his senior debut.

The defender didn’t stay for long after though, with Heaven joining Manchester United as an option for the future.

He has since made his first-team debut for the Red Devils and will be looking to build on that while at the club.

Heaven isn’t the only one to come from the Arsenal academy to feature for Manchester United, with Chido Obi and Hubert Graczyk both playing for the Red Devils now – though they never made a senior appearance for the Gunners.