Ronaldo to Lukaku: Prem stars at former clubs as Arsenal plan Chamberlain return

The Gunners are reportedly considering a move to bring the midfielder back to the Emirates following his injury-hit spell on Merseyside.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has slumped down the pecking order at Anfield, and it's claimed Mikel Arteta wants him to return to north London.

The 28-year-old was a three-time FA Cup winner during his six years at Arsenal while he also scooped a Community Shield treble.

He wouldn't be the first player to seek solace by rejoining a side where they had made their name but not all homecomings have been a success.

Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at other Premier League stars who returned to their former sides…

Cristiano Ronaldo

Club: Manchester United (2003-2009, 2021-)

Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford was the deal of the summer and the Portuguese has hit the ground running during his second spell at the club.

The 36-year-old netted three goals in his first three league starts and he scored in both of United's opening Champions League group games.

Ronaldo's form has been so good that the forward picked up the Premier League's prize for September in his first month back in the division.

Romelu Lukaku

Club: Chelsea (2011-2014, 2021-)

Lukaku was another big name making a return this summer as he re-joined the Blues in a £97.5million move ten years after arriving as a teenager.

The Belgian struggled in his first Chelsea spell and moved to Everton in 2014 before joining Inter Milan after a two-year stint at Man United.

After a fast start to the season, Lukaku drew a fourth consecutive blank in the 3-1 win over Southampton before the international break.

Paul Pogba

Club: Manchester United (2011-2012, 2016-)

Pogba left Old Trafford for Juventus for a measly £1.5m after just seven first-team appearances back in 2012 as a 19-year-old.

Four years later and United paid a then-world record £89m to re-sign him after the Frenchman won four league titles with the Serie A giants.

Pogba has been a regular for the Red Devils since his return and helped them win the Europa League but his performances have divided opinions.

Gareth Bale

Club: Tottenham Hotspur (2007-2013, 2020-2021)

Bale developed into one of the best players in the Premier League era during his initial six-year stint at White Hart Lane.

The Welshman sealed a then-world record transfer fee to join Real Madrid in 2013 in which he won four Champions League titles and two La Ligas.

Bale returned on loan last season and despite bagging 15 goals in 32 matches, the move didn't quite have the impact he would have wanted.

Didier Drogba

Club: Chelsea (2004-12, 2014-15)

Drogba initially left Stamford Bridge as one of the Blues greatest ever players having won 10 major trophies including three league titles.

The Ivorian's last kick for Chelsea in his first spell was the winning penalty in their first ever Champions League triumph before he left on a free.

Drogba returned two years later after spells in China and Turkey where he added another Premier League trophy but managed just four goals.

Thierry Henry

Club: Arsenal (1999-2007, 2012 - loan)

The Frenchman enjoyed a fairytale return to north London for a two-month spell from New York Red Bulls in 2012 after leaving as the club's top goalscorer.

Henry, who joined Arsenal from Juventus for £10.5m in 1999, claimed two league titles - including one unbeaten - and three FA Cups in his first spell.

He still managed to make his short return memorable as he scored a late winner in an FA Cup match against Leeds in his first game back.

Wayne Rooney

Club: Everton (2002-04, 2017-18)

Rooney burst onto the scene at Goodison Park at age 16 before United splashed £27m to sign him in 2004.

England's record goalscorer won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup at Old Trafford.

After becoming United's record goalscorer, Rooney rejoined his boyhood club for a season in 2017 in which he was the Toffees' top scorer as well.

Juninho

Club: Middlesbrough (1995-97, 1999-2000 - loan, 2002-04)

Juninho remains a fan-favourite at the Riverside Stadium following the three different spells he spent at the club during his career.

The Brazilian helped Boro reach both the FA Cup and League Cup finals in 1997 but couldn't stop their relegation that year and left for Atletico Madrid.

A leg injury hampered his progress when he returned on loan in 1999 but he achieved a fitting ending when he signed for a third time for £6m three years later and helped Middlesbrough to the Carling Cup.

Jermain Defoe

Club: Tottenham (2004-08, 2009-14, 2014 - loan)

Defoe also technically enjoyed three spells at Spurs after joining the club for the first time from West Ham in 2004 for £7m.

The striker became a regular for England during that time before a season at Portsmouth was sandwiched between his return to White Hart Lane.

Defoe did make two cameo appearances on loan after joining Toronto FC before the MLS season started and he finally left for good as Tottenham's sixth highest goalscorer.

Robbie Fowler

Club: Liverpool (1993-2001, 2006-7)

The fact that Fowler's nickname is 'God' should tell you everything about how the striker is thought of at Anfield.

The 46-year-old scored 171 goals in 330 games and he became Liverpool's all-time Premier League top goalscorer by the time he left for Leeds in 2001.

Injuries and poor form saw Man City tear up Fowler's contract five years later and allow him to return to Merseyside for another season and a half where he overtook Kenny Dalglish as the Red's sixth highest ever scorer.