When Liverpool and Arsenal play one other, it's usually a highly anticipated game because they are two of the biggest clubs in English football. The game will take place at Liverpool's home stadium, Anfield. Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, two of Liverpool's top attackers, will be relied upon to score goals. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and midfielder Martin Odegaard will be the primary threats for Arsenal.
Liverpool and Arsenal have always been at odds with one another. Both teams have experienced stretches of supremacy in English football, and their on-field confrontations have never been mild. Throughout the years, these two sides have played in a number of notable games, notably the 1989 title game at Anfield, where Arsenal famously won the league with a last-second goal. Liverpool has won this matchup in prior years, but Arsenal always offers a threat and shouldn't be underrated. Keeping that in mind, we take a look at the top players who played for both clubs. These five players are regarded as some of the finest to have played for both teams and have all had big contributions at both Liverpool and Arsenal.
Ray Kennedy:
From 1974 to 1982, the former England midfielder played for Liverpool, contributing to their three European Cup victories and five league triumphs. After that, he signed with Arsenal, where he spent four seasons playing and captured the FA Cup in 1979.
Michael Thomas:
Thomas is renowned for scoring the game-winning goal for Arsenal in the league-clinching match of the 1988–89 campaign. Afterward, in 1991, he relocated to Liverpool, where he spent three seasons playing for the Reds, winning the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Nicolas Anelka:
Before joining Arsenal, where he played from 1997 to 1999, Anelka began his career with Paris Saint-Germain. He next moved to Real Madrid before playing for Liverpool in the 2001–02 Premier League season. He only spent one season at Liverpool, but in that time he made 22 appearances and scored five goals.
Kolo Toure:
From 2002 to 2009, the Ivorian defender spent seven seasons with Arsenal, playing a key role in their 2004 Premier League championship. Before joining Liverpool in 2013, he first moved to Manchester City. Toure spent three seasons at Liverpool, earning 71 games while doing so. In 2016, he assisted Liverpool in reaching the Europa League final.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
After beginning his career at Southampton, the current Liverpool midfielder transferred to Arsenal in 2011. He spent six seasons with the Arsenal as a player before joining Liverpool in 2017. At Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been a key contributor, helping the team win the Premier League in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019.
