Top 5 Players That Have Featured for Both Arsenal and Barcelona

With the Champions League clash between Arsenal and Barcelona taking place in about a fortnight, I decided to look up players that have played for both the clubs respectively.

Aleksandr Hleb

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Alexander Hleb of Birmingham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Birmingham at Villa Park on October 31, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

On July 16, 2008, Hleb's transfer was completed for a fee of €15 million plus an additional €2 million if Barcelona won the La Liga title in 2008-09 or 2009-10. (Hleb signed a four-year contract, with a buy-out clause of €90 million.)

Now applying his trade at Birmingham City, Hleb express his regret of leaving Arsenal for Barcelona.

Thierry Henry

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HARRISON, NJ - NOVEMBER 04: Thierry Henry #14 of the New York Red Bulls reacts after a missed scoring change against the San Jose Earthquakes during the 2nd Leg of the MLS playoffs on November 4, 2010 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by

One of Arsenal's footballing legends, Henry was unable to reproduce the goal-scoring form he achieved with Arsenal. In an interview with Garth Crooks on BBC Football Focus, Henry described missing life “back home” and even the English press.

Marc Overmars

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BRAGA, PORTUGAL - JUNE 23: Marc Overmars of Holland runs with the ball during the UEFA Euro 2004, Group D match between Holland and Latvia at the Braga Municiple Stadium on June 23, 2004 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Overmars moved to Barcelona for a record of ₤25 million, making Overmars the most expensive Dutch player of all-time. This transfer was the first in the history of football to be announced via the player’s personal Web site. He has been a good player for Barcelona and has scored eight goals for the club.

He has never won a trophy with Barcelona. 

Emmanuel Petit

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LONDON - AUGUST 26: Emmanuel Petit of Chelsea looks to strike the ball during the UEFA Champions League Third Round, second leg Qualifier match between Chelsea and MSK Zilina on August 26, 2003 at Stamford Bridge in London, England. Chelsea won the matc

A member of France's winning team of '98, Petit's career at Barcelona was short lived as he suffered a number of injuries that limited his chances and he failed to hold a regular place in the side. 

He would be remembered for his goal in the final against Brazil that gave France their first-ever World Cup glory. 

Van Bronckhorst

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 11: Referee Howard Webb issues Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands a yellow card during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Jo

Van Bronckhorst completed his move from Arsenal to Barcelona for a fee of €2 million, signing a three-year deal.

He won the La Liga title with Barça in the 2004-05 season after some of his finest displays together with four goals to his credit. He was also a member of Barcelona's Champions League winning team that defeated Arsenal in the final.