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Players who played for both Arsenal and Manchester United
5 famous players have played for both Arsenal and Manchester United, including Robin van Persie, Alexis Sánchez, Danny Welbeck and Andy Cole. 3 of them played for Arsenal first; 2 started at Manchester United.
Did you know?
- Andy ColeEarliest on this list to play for both: Arsenal (1989–1992), then Manchester United from 1995.
Alexis SánchezLatest on this list: Arsenal first, then Manchester United from 2018.
All 5 players, most famous first
Robin van Persie
Netherlands · Forward · born 1983- Arsenal
- 2003–2012
- Manchester United
- 2012–2015
- Arsenal
- 2014–2018
- Manchester United
- 2018–2020
Danny Welbeck
England · Forward · born 1990- Arsenal
- 2014–2019
- Manchester United
- 2008–2014
- Andy ColeEngland · Forward · born 1971
- Arsenal
- 1989–1992
- Manchester United
- 1995–2001
- Mikaël Silvestre
France · Defender · born 1977- Arsenal
- 2008–2010
- Manchester United
- 1999–2008
Years are club stints from Wikidata (snapshot 2026-09-28); a loan that runs straight into a transfer is shown as one stint. “from YEAR” means no end year is recorded — it is not a claim about a current club.
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Questions
How many famous players have played for both Arsenal and Manchester United?
5 in our data, including Robin van Persie, Alexis Sánchez, Danny Welbeck and Andy Cole. The list covers famous footballers only — players covered by at least 45 language editions of Wikipedia — so it is not every player who ever wore both shirts.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both clubs?
In our data, Andy Cole: Arsenal (1989–1992), then Manchester United (1995–2001).
Where does this list come from?
Club careers from Wikidata, the open database behind Wikipedia (public domain, CC0), snapshot 2026-09-28. Senior spells count, loans included when Wikidata records them; youth and reserve teams do not. Found a mistake? Tell us via the About page.