All 12 players who have played for both Arsenal and Lille

Arsenal are set to face Lille in a Champions League showdown at the Emirates Stadium this evening and it will mark an occasion for fans to remember those who played for both teams.

12 players have donned the colours of both teams over the years with a number of those making a key impact for each club during their time wearing the shirt. Olivier Giroud is one of the players who has appeared for both and he is gearing up for a return to North London.

Ahead of tonight's clash between the Gunners and Les Dogues, we've taken a look at every player who has represented both clubs.

All 12 players who have played for both Arsenal and Lille

Gabriel Magalhães

Gabriel signed for Arsenal from Lille in 2020, having spent three years with the then-three time Ligue 1 champions. He played 52 times for the French side, scoring twice, with one of his goals coming in a 5-1 win over table toppers Paris Saint-Germain.

He didn't win any honours while with Lille, allowing his most successful time to come with the Gunners, where has made 270 appearances and scored 24 goals, as well as winning the Premier League title and two Community Shields.

Nicolas Pépé

Nicolas Pépé enjoyed a prolific spell in the north of France, scoring 37 goals and providing 19 assists in 79 games for Lille, and it was his attacking exploits that prompted Arsenal to splash a then-record £72million on him in the 2019 summer transfer window.

Despite some good runs of form, he never really got going with the Gunners as he netted 27 times and assisted 21 in 112 appearances during his three seasons in North London. He left the English capital with an FA Cup to his name, but he is widely regarded as a flop signing.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Like the first two players on this list, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was at Lille before he moved to Arsenal, but his spell in the Capital of Flanders came well ahead of his Emirates era.

A youth player at AC Milan, the former Gabon international spent the 2009/10 season with Lille, scoring twice in 24 appearances after being primarily used as a right winger.

His Gunners move came for record money in January 2018 and he initially set the league on fire with his goalscoring brilliance putting the North Londoners back in contention for the top four and winning the FA Cup, but his attitude caused problems under Mikel Arteta, leading to his departure four years later. Aubameyang ended his Arsenal career with 92 goals in 163 matches.

Olivier Giroud

Preparing for another return to the Emirates this evening, Olivier Giroud will look back on his Arsenal days fondly, having scored 105 goals in 253 appearances, winning three FA Cups and three Community Shields during his time at the club.

He is now spending what is expected to be the final season of his career with Lille, who he joined last season and has netted 12 times in 51 matches for. Giroud will be eager to have an impact for his current side against his ex-employers tonight.

Chuba Akpom

A player who gives Álvaro Morata a run for his money in the skill of changing clubs, Chuba Akpom started his career as a graduate of Arsenal's academy and made 12 senior appearances before leaving the club in 2018.

He spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan with Lille from Ajax and netted three goals in 16 matches.

Pascal Cygan

Another who switched Lille for Arsenal, Pascal Cygan was an important player for the French side, making 200 appearances and winning the second division title in the 1999/00 season before leaving for the Gunners two years later.

While in North London, he played 98 times and earned a Premier League winners' medal during the 2003/04 Invincibles campaign, as well as claiming two Community Shields.

Mathieu Debuchy

Mathieu Debuchy started and spent most of his career with Lille, representing the club from 2003 to 2013 and making 308 appearances. He won a double in the 2010/11 season, snatching the Ligue 1 title as well as the Coupe de France.

The Frenchman moved to Arsenal in 2014 after a year with Newcastle, but his spell was plagued by injuries, meaning he played just 30 times before leaving in 2018.

Gervinho

Gervinho made 93 appearances in two seasons for Lille, scoring 36 goals and joining Debuchy in winning the 2010/11 double, with his performances prompting Arsenal to sign him that year.

He was nowhere near as prolific for the Gunners though, netting just 11 times in 63 matches before leaving for Roma after two years.

Stephan Lichtsteiner

Stephan Lichtsteiner spent three seasons with Lille before his move to Italy with Lazio in 2008, and he made 113 appearances for Les Dogues, scoring seven goals.

He joined Arsenal in the late stages of his career, spending a sole campaign with the Gunners, during which he played 23 times and found the back of the net once.

Vito Mannone

A backup goalkeeper for his entire Arsenal career, Vito Mannone made 23 appearances between the sticks for the Gunners ahead of joining Sunderland in 2013.

He eventually made his way to Lille in 2023 and played nine times over two seasons.

Stathis Tavlaridis

Stathis Tavlaridis left his home nation to join Arsenal in 2001 and played eight times before being loaned out to and eventually sold to Lille three years later.

He was an important player for the French side during his four seasons with the club, making 124 appearances and winning the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Rui Fonte

Having graduated from Arsenal's academy, Rui Fonte made just one senior appearance for the North Londoners.

He spent the 2018/19 season on loan with Lille from Fulham and scored once in 20 games.

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