Every player to play for Inter and Arsenal - ranked

You wouldn't say the histories of Internazionale and Arsenal are intertwined. Far from it, in fact.

These are two great and historic clubs with wildly different inceptions. Only twice have we faced off in competitive action, and Wednesday's Champions League league phase bout will be the first meeting in over 20 years.

Inter's grand amphitheatre played host to one of the Gunners' great European nights back in November 2003, and while Arsenal have since visited the San Siro, they haven't duelled with the Nerazzurri but rather the Rossoneri - out of whom Inter was born way back in 1908.

Arsenal and Inter rank among the most successful clubs in their respective lands, and nine players - ranging from barely useful squad players to all-time greats - have turned out for both clubs.

So, ahead of Wednesday's duel in Italy's fashion capital, let's rank those to represent Arsenal and Inter based on the quality of their spells in north London and Normandy.

9. Cedric Soares

Before joining Arsenal in 2020, Inter acquired Cedric on loan for the second half of the 2018/19 season and had an option to purchase the full-back outright in the summer.

The Nerazzurri opted against such a move after Cedric appeared nine times for the club, but their loss was Arsenal's... gain?

Well, not really. While the Gunners did decide to buy the Portuguese defender outright after a decent loan spell, Cedric was nothing more than a sporadic option for Mikel Arteta and he barely featured during his final couple of years at the club.

8. Nelson Vivas

Vivas was mightily experienced by the time he wound up in north London at the end of the Millennium, with the defender appearing at two Copa Americas and the 1998 World Cup for Argentina.

Much of Vivas' club success arrived in his homeland, but his Arsenal career was hardly disastrous. He just struggled to break into a stringent Gunners back four. The majority of his 56 appearances arrived off the bench.

It was a similar story for the full-back at Inter, who he joined on a free transfer in 2001. He spent two years in Milan, recording less than 1,000 minutes of action.

7. Mikael Silvestre

In 2008, Silvestre became the first person since Viv Anderson in 1987 to transfer directly between Arsenal and Manchester United. He joined the Red Devils after establishing himself at Rennes and spending a year with Inter in 1998/99.

The Frenchman was highly-decorated and a cultured defender who could perform multiple roles for Arsene Wenger. His experience was valued by his compatriot, but there's no denying that Silvestre was comfortably beyond his prime by the time he rocked up at the Emirates.

6. Lukas Podolski

The Arsenal cult hero was cherished in north London during his two-year stint, with Podolski and his fearsome left boot having a tremendous impact for Wenger's side.

He delivered several iconic moments on and off the pitch, with Podolski's adoration for the badge ensuring he quickly endeared himself to the Gunners faithful. The forward left Arsenal after three years in 2015 having recorded 39 goal contributions in 73 games.

In 2014/15, Podolski's role diminished at the Emirates which saw the German depart on loan to Inter at the start of 2015. The ball-striking menace wasn't exactly fancied by Nerazzurri coach Roberto Mancini, however, and he scored just one goal for the club.

5. Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan's Arsenal career ultimately flattered to deceive and he eventually became to be known as part of perhaps the most underwhelming swap deal of all-time.

His time in north London peaked early before he became dogged by a couple of injuries. Very few were displeased when he departed for Roma on an initial loan in 2019 and left the club permanently the following year.

The Armenian's indifferent spell with the Gunners might make you query why he ranks higher than Podolski. Well, the veteran midfielder has reinvented himself at Inter.

Mkhitaryan will be involved on Wednesday night against his former club having emerged as one of Simone Inzaghi's trusted lieutenants in his midfield three. The 35-year-old has appeared over 100 times for the Nerazzurri and played a key role in their title success last season. Mkhitaryan has evolved from a luxury playmaker into a tacticall diligent and versatile box-to-box operator.

4. Nwankwo Kanu

If we're giving Podolski cult hero status, it might be harsh to hand Kanu the same tag. He was much more than that.

A Champions League winner with Ajax, the unique Nigerian forward played just 17 times for Inter as a result of a heart defect diagnosed upon his arrival in Milan.

Thus, Arsenal were taking a bit of a risk when they sent £4m Inter's way to acquire the striker, but it proved to be a shrewd investment. The two-time African Player of the Year was a fan favourite at Highbury and an incredibly handy option off the bench for much of his time at the club.

Kanu was capable of the spectacular, and his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge will be remembered in perpetuity. He ended his Arsenal career with over 170 appearances, an Invincible, and with four major honours.

3. Alexis Sánchez

The more significant member of that aforementioned swap deal involving Mkhitaryan compromised his legacy by pushing for a move to Manchester United, but we can't deny just how special the Chilean was for much of his time with the club.

That 2016/17 campaign, in particular, was particularly magical. Alexis was among the Premier League's best, but it's a level he didn't come close to reaching in the aftermath, especially after leaving the club.

However, he proved more than serviceable during his a supposed swan song with Inter. Antonio Conte and Inzaghi both regarded the veteran highly, and Sanchez shone as a rotational piece for a couple of Inter teams that claimed the Scudetto.

He recorded just shy of 50 goal contributions for the Nerazzurri over two spells which tallied 142 games.

2. Patrick Vieira

Wenger's midfield general was the beating heart of multiple Arsenal teams that reached the pinnacle of the English game. Vieira led by example in the middle of the park and is regarded as the club's greatest-ever midfielder.

There's little else to say, and you could easily have him atop this ranking.

The Gunners captain ventured off to Italy in 2005 but his time with Juventus was brief as a result of the Calciopoli scandal. He was one of several notable Bianconeri stars to jump ship, with Vieira joining Inter in 2006.

However, the French powerhouse that dominated Premier League engine rooms at a canter failed to manifest in Milan with Vieira declining physically. Mancini was never convinced - nor was Jose Mourinho - and his importance swiftly waned. He was a bit-part player during his four years at San Siro, leaving for Manchester City in 2010.

1. Dennis Bergkamp

Bergkamp suffered tactically in Italy. In a division that still adored the libero despite Arrigo Sacchi's attempt at a 4-4-2 zonal marking revolution, Bergkamp was afforded less space during two fairly unhappy years at Inter. The Dutchman couldn't only flash the liberal creative genius that manifested amid his breakthrough at Ajax.

Arsenal signed Bergkamp from Inter in 1995 under Bruch Rioch and became the most expensive player in the club's history.

The Gunners were one of many clubs on the hunt for their answer to Manchester United's Eric Cantona, who was dominating the division from between the lines at a time when the 4-4-2 was prevalent on English shores.

There was a tough acclimatisation phase for Arsenal's new number ten, but he was brought to life upon Wenger's arrival in '96. Bergkamp would emerge as a defining figure at the start of the Frenchman's reign, with his freakish ability in possession often bamboozling opponents. He was nothing short of a nonchalant superstar, with Bergkamp spending just shy of a decade in north London while cultivating a legacy that very few can top.

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