Tottenham vs Arsenal, total hatred in north London. Which players started for both rivals?

Rarely in England will you find such hatred between two teams as between Arsenal and Tottenham. Fans of the two north London outfits have a great antipathy towards each other, a move to a rival is an incomprehensible betrayal for them. Yet several players have committed it.

There is a huge hatred between the Gunners and Spurs. It is also one of the reasons why so few players in history have dared to wear the jerseys of either club.

While 45 players have played for both Merseyside clubs (Liverpool, Everton), 39 players have played for both Manchester clubs and 20 players have jumped in for the Old Firm derby players (Rangers, Celtic), only 15 players have ever played for Arsenal and Tottenham.

Jimmy Brain

Years at Arsenal:: 1924 – 31
Years at Tottenham:: 1931 – 35

Brain is the fifth highest scorer in Arsenal history. However, he is also the first to start in a derby for both North London sides after the Gunners moved north from Woolwich.

He has racked up 232 competitive starts for Arsenal, and has only featured in 34 games in four years at Tottenham.

George Hunt

Years at Arsenal:: 1937-38
Years at Tottenham:: 1930-37

While Brain’s career at Tottenham faded, Hunt had a proper run in a Spurs jersey. He scored 138 goals in 198 games at White Hart Lane and is the author of 12 hat-tricks in a Tottenham jersey. Only Jimmy Greaves has more, Harry Kane and Bobby Smith have the same number.

But he never won anything at Tottenham, so Hunt’s only league title came in his only year at Arsenal.

Freddie Cox

Years at Arsenal:: 1949 – 53
Years at Tottenham:: 1938 – 49

The big interesting fact about Cox is that he was a wartime pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

During his football career it is worth noting his assist for the winning goal in the 1950 FA Cup Final.

Vic Groves

Years at Arsenal:: 1953 – 1964
Years at Tottenham:: 1952 – 1953

Groves was released from Tottenham, although he scored three times in four duels for Spurs. He subsequently joined Arsenal, where he played 201 games and later became club captain.

Laurie Brown

Years at Arsenal:: 1961 – 1964
Years at Tottenham:: 1964 – 66

When Tottenham were beginning to be ranked among England’s big clubs, they demonstrated their strength by signing Laurie Brown from Arsenal in 1964.

The powerful stopper subsequently played 65 games for Spurs and scored 3 goals.

Jimmy Robertson

Years at Arsenal:: 1968- 70
Years at Tottenham:: 1964 – 68

Robertson played 181 games for Tottenham, then made history as one of only two players to be traded directly by clubs.

David Jenkins

Years at Arsenal:: 1966 – 68
Years at Tottenham:: 1968 – 70

The second player in the swap between Arsenal and Tottenham was David Jenkins. However, he only played in 90 games in his professional career.

Stewe Walford

Years at Arsenal:: 1977 – 1981
Years at Tottenham:: 1975 – 77

Walford had quite an interesting career. He only started one game for Tottenham, but managed to score a goal. He then moved to Arsenal, where he managed to win the FA Cup.

Willie Young

Years at Arsenal:: 1977 – 81
Years at Tottenham:: 1975 – 77

‘Big Willie’ followed the same path as Walford. He left Tottenham for Arsenal under coach Terry Neill, subsequently winning the FA Cup in a Gunners jersey.

Pat Jennings

Years at Arsenal:: 1977-85
Years at Tottenham: 1964-77

Although Jennings is remembered as a Tottenham legend, he also featured for a lot of time at Arsenal. He currently still works at Spurs as a goalkeeping coach.

Sol Campbell

Years at Arsenal:: 2001-06, 10
Years at Tottenham:: 1992-2001

We’re moving into the modern era now, where I’m sure there are more familiar names to most of you. When you think of players who have played for both Arsenal and Tottenham, Campbell is probably the first to come to mind. He was captain at Tottenham and a fan favourite, but he wanted to win trophies so he left for Arsenal.

There he experienced dream glory and won the Premier League in 2004. In the white part of London, he is regarded as ‘Judas’, which is what the fans call him.

Rohan Ricketts

Years at Arsenal: 2001-02
Years at Tottenham: 2002-05

Ricketts didn’t have a great career at Arsenal, making only one appearance in the League Cup. So he subsequently left for Tottenham, where he spent 3 years.

David Bentley

Years at Arsenal:: 2001 – 06
Years at Tottenham:: 2008 – 11

There’s not much to like about Bentley’s involvement with both North London clubs. So his highlight is probably his incredible goal for Tottenham in the 2008 derby at the Emirates Stadium, which ended in a 4-4 draw.

William Gallas

Years at Arsenal:: 2006 – 10
Years at Tottenham:: 2010 – 13

One of the most underrated players of his generation. Gallas is the first and so far only player to play for Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Gallas was supposed to be a substitute for Ashley Cole at Arsenal, later became captain, and joined Tottenham as a free agent in 2010, helping them to their first win at the Emirates Stadium as captain. Interesting career.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Years at Arsenal:: 2006 – 09
Years at Tottenham:: 2011 – 15

Another huge name on this list. Adebayor has faced passions, emotions and hatred. Both in an Arsenal jersey and a Tottenham jersey.

However, when his name is mentioned, most fans will remember the moment when Adebayor was already playing for Manchester City. He actually hit the Arsenal net and ran across the pitch, skidding on his knees to celebrate his goal in front of the angry Gunners fans.

Source:: 90 min