7 players who played for both Arsenal and Everton during their careers
In anticipation of Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Everton, Betting Odds have been thinking about the players who have turned out for both sides during their respective careers. Slightly random, perhaps, but an interesting topic of conversation nevertheless if you are a supporter of either club, or just obsessed with generic, fairly useless information on the beautiful game, just like us.
Let’s get started.
Mikel Arteta
We’ll start with current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, a player who really made his name at Goodison Park before making the switch to north London in 2011. The Spaniard initially signed for Everton on loan from Real Sociedad but swiftly made his move permanent in 2005, and ended up staying in Merseyside for the next six seasons, where he turned out 209 times for the Toffees.
The Spaniard quickly became a fan favourite in the north west, but in truth started to outgrow the club towards the end of his tenure, making his move to Arsenal more than understandable. Arteta enjoyed a solid spell at the Emirates, winning the FA Cup twice in 150 appearances for the Gunners, and has enjoyed a promising start while in charge of the club, losing just one of his opening 12 games in the hot seat.
Theo Walcott
There has been an age-old debate surrounding Theo Walcott and whether or not he has fully realised his potential in the top-flight. When the Englishman was thrusted into the limelight at the tender age of 16, and surprisingly taken to the 2006 World Cup by then-Three Lions boss Sven-Göran Eriksson, there were hopes that he would go on to be one of the best in the world.
Indeed, while Walcott, now 30, has achieved success throughout the previous 15 years - winning three FA Cups and two Super Cups with Arsenal - his career did seem to flatline a little towards the end of his tenure in north London, largely due to issues with injuries and consistency. Now at Everton, though, the London-born winger is playing more regularly and has enjoyed a promising run of late, scoring and assisting once in his previous two games - can he net another against his former employers this weekend?
Philippe Senderos
The famously-calamitous Philippe Senderos will not go down in the Premier League’s hall of fame. The Swiss native was a limited footballer at very best and always had an error in him, but at times did show signs of promise.. just not often enough. Senderos initially signed for Arsenal in 2003 and went on to make 118 appearances for the Gunners across a seven year period, scoring four times.
Although only a squad player at Highbury, latterly the Emirates, the centre-half did experience plenty of highs in north London, most notably as part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad which claimed the title in 2003-04 after not losing a single league game all season. Well, we say he was part of the squad but in reality, Senderos didn’t actually play a single match that season. Still trained with them though, so, you know.
Senderos joined Everton on loan from Arsenal in 2010, but only played three games for the Toffees before leaving and joining Fulham on a free transfer. He’s not the most memorable player to have blessed England’s top-flight, but at least he tried. A character.
Kevin Campbell
Unlike most of the names in this list, Kevin Campbell’s best days came at Goodison Park. The Arsenal academy product notched 22 goals for the Gunners across three seasons in the Premier League, but found chances at Highbury limited due to the prolific form of Ian Wright. Campbell still endured success with Arsenal, however, lifting the FA Cup and League Cup with the north London club in 1992-93.
After stints with Nottingham Forest and Trabzonspor in Turkey, Campbell returned to England with Everton - initially on loan - before making his switch to Merseyside permanent in 1999. 151 appearances and 40 goals later, Campbell left the Blues a cult hero when he signed for West Brom on a free transfer in 2005. Now found as a studio guest on any football-related program ever.
Francis Jeffers
While question marks may surround Theo Walcott’s once-so-promising career, they definitely surround Francis Jeffers’s. The Liverpudlian rose through the ranks at boyhood club Everton before signing for Arsenal in 2001 for a hefty-looking £8m. He flattered to deceive in north London, though, making little impact for the Gunners before rejoining the Toffees on loan in 2003.
Jeffers, capped once at senior level for England, departed Arsenal a year later in 2006, where he joined Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal. After looking so promising so early on in his career, Jeffers failed to live up to expectations and ended his playing days with Accrington Stanley in 2013. His name now frequently crops up in football quizzes worldwide, so worth bearing that in mind.
Martin Keown
Highly decorated defender Martin Keown began his career as a trainee at Arsenal, breaking into the first-team back in the early-80s under Don Howe. He departed the Gunners in search of regular football in 1986, though, joining Aston Villa before moving to Everton three years later in 1989. Having made 52 appearances for the Toffees, Keown moved back to north London and signed for Arsenal in 1993, where he would go on to establish himself as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history.
The 43-capped England international won three Premier League titles at Highbury, alongside four FA Cups and three Super Cups. He is a legend among supporters of Arsenal and respected in the blue half of Merseyside. A tremendous player who now spends his days working as a pundit and commentator for BT Sport, Keown’s ability to send people to sleep with his opinions on the game is actually quite impressive.
Alex Iwobi
Following in the footsteps of Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi made headlines back in the summer of 2019 when he signed for Everton on a five-year contract for a reported £35m. Having showed glimmers of potential at Arsenal, Everton obviously spotted strengths in the Nigeria international and decided to take a chance on him - a decision which has so far proven inconclusive.
The 23-year-old has scored twice and laid off one assist for the Blues in 21 appearances (all competitions), and is just re-entering the frame after a lengthy spell sat on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury. Iwobi was an unused sub during Everton’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, but will be desperate to line-up against his former employers this weekend.
He’s 8/1 to bag against his old club anytime this Sunday with William Hill.
