The 15 players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham

There are many things in life which should never be mentioned in the same sentence - Arsenal and Spurs being a big example. The North London derby is one of the most hate-filled derbies in the world. But how does this transcend to the players? Well, ask any of these 15 players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham...

The 15 players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham

1. Jimmy Brain

The first of the players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham is Jimmy Brain, having made the switch almost a century ago. The striker scored 139 goals for Arsenal, making him the fifth highest goal scorer in the club's history. When he switched to Tottenham in 1931, he only scored 10 league goals.

Make of that what you will.

2. George Hunt

George Hunt is a Tottenham legend who chose to transfer to Arsenal (where have we seen that before?)

The late centre forward had a knack for scoring goals and had a very illustrious career, winning the First Division with Arsenal after he switched from Tottenham. He also lifted the FA Cup with Bolton as a manager, being adored by many clubs.

3. Freddie Cox

A legendary player, Freddie Cox played his football either side of the Second World War. Aside from serving in the war, he was a winger who would often contribute to goals. He made the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal in 1949, becoming the third player to represent both of the London rivals.

4. Vic Groves

Vic Groves was the fourth player who played for Arsenal and Tottenham but if you were to narrow down his allegiances to one club, it would be Arsenal. Despite first representing the Lilywhites, he made a name for himself later in his career for the Gunners, where he became club captain for some time.

5. Laurie Brown

Laurie Brown played in the defence for Arsenal, but then signed for Spurs in 1964. This isn't the weirdest part of the transfer, though, since soon after he made the switch to Tottenham, he played AGAINST Arsenal as a STRIKER.

Now, we're used to funky tactics under Mikel Arteta, but I'm not sure he would even be brave enough to play a defender as a striker, yet.

6. Jimmy Robertson

Robertson made the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal in 1968, a year after winning the FA Cup with Spurs. Involved as part of a swap-deal with the following player, Robertson didn't quite make it at Arsenal, as he will be remembered more by the Spurs faithful.

7. David Jenkins

David Jenkins was part of the swap-deal with Jimmy Robertson, but being one of the players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham is the only list he'll likely be involved in, since his career didn't take off nearly half as much as he would've anticipated, coming through the Arsenal youth system at the time.

8. Steve Walford

Moving into the late 70s now, where Steve Walford became the eigth in the list of players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham. He signed FOR Arsenal FROM Spurs in 1977 and never looked back, as he made 77 appearances for the Gunners. In fact, Walford represented three different London rivals, as he moved to West Ham later in his career.

9. Willie Young

Willie Young is one of the more recognisable names on this list, as he made the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal at the same time as Walford. The physically advanced centre back soon became a regular at Arsenal and during his four-year spell at Highbury, made 170 league appearances, scoring 11 goals. Not bad for a defender, eh?

10. Pat Jennings

Not only is Pat Jennings remembered as one of the players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham, he is actually remembered quite well at both clubs. The former goalkeeper is recognised as one of the greatest in history and North London should be thankful they got to experience his brilliance. Jennings honed his crafted over an illustrious career, spanning over three decades.

11. Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell is probably the reason why you clicked on this article. Or maybe he isn't since everybody knows he played for Arsenal and Tottenham.

In fact, Sol Campbell is widely regarded as the "Judas" from Spurs fans but to Arsenal fans he is, well, invincible. Part of the iconic team crafted by Arsene Wenger who went the entire English season unbeaten, Campbell won't regret leaving that small club from down the road.

12. Rohan Ricketts

From one legend of a game to another... Oh wait. It's Rohan Ricketts.

Well, I guess you could say Ricketts was a traveller, since he played for NINETEEN different clubs throughout his career. Starting off his career in North London where he was soon shipped to Tottenham from the Arsenal youth academy, his career took many interesting turns, playing in Moldova, Canada, Hungary, India and Ecuador. If you think I'm making this up, check out his Wiki page.

13. David Bentley

Looking at the numbers David Bentley put in for both Arsenal and Tottenham, it would be easy to assume that neither club look back at his time as being fruitful or worthy of note. But of course, it doesn't take much to be remembered at Spurs, and he did write himself into North London derby folklore by scoring that screamer at the Emirates.

In fairness, it was a cracker. Swiftly moving on.

14. William Gallas

To this day, William Gallas remains the only player to play for Arsenal, Chelsea AND Tottenham. Weirdly enough, each club have a reason to remember him fondly.

As far as Arsenal are concerned, he did tarnish his legacy by putting in one of the worst captain's performances of all time. We can look back at that and laugh now, since he was a talented and underrated defender during his time.

15. Emmanuel Adebayor

Feels a bit sinful to mention his name so I do apologise, Arsenal fans. I won't break anyone's hearts by mentioning the OBVIOUS Emmanuel Adebayor moment because it didn't happen while he was at Spurs but in truth, nothing did happen when he was at Spurs. I still think he should've stayed with the Gunners, but you can't help players like that.

How many of the players who played for Arsenal and Tottenham could you recall?