It’s not cheap to build a title-winning team and Arsenal sit in the Premier League’s ‘Big 6’ for a reason. Since the arrival of manager Mikel Arteta in December 2019, the Gunners have been ambitious and have spent close to €700 million (~£600 million) on signings. Some have delivered well, like skipper Martin Odegaard or defender Ben White, but others have not fared so well at Emirates. Take a look at with us as we analyse which of Arteta’s men have made their mark in north London.

Arsenal’s last Premier League trophy came under Arsene Wenger way back in 2004, and the Gunners have spent almost 20 years trying to return to those dizzying heights. It’s expensive to build yourself a team that can compete with the best of the best and Arsenal, backed by American owners the Kroenke family, have not shyed away from splashing out.

In fact, since the arrival of Mikel Arteta in December 2019, the club have spent almost €700 million on signings, amounting to 23 players purchased (and two free transfers) in a three-and-a-half-year span with the Spaniard. Using data from BeSoccer Pro, we have broken down how much each player cost and whether or not they were a win for the Gunners, or if they could have done without them.

 

Pablo Mari (January 2020, €6 million)

Arriving from Flamengo, Arteta’s first signing was not a particularly exciting one, and Pablo Mari only made 22 appearances (with one goal) for the Gunners before he was sent on loan to Italy, never to return. VERDICT: bin

Cedric Soares (July 2020, free transfer)

Joining from Southampton on free transfer after an initial loan spell at Emirates, Cedric also failed to make much of an impact for Arsenal. After a season on loan at Fulham, he has not been included in Arteta’s pre-season USA travelling squad. VERDICT: bin

Willian (August 2020, free transfer)

Another free transfer, and it’s a good thing too. Not a waste of money, but far from the talent that we saw at Chelsea. Playing just half a season at Emirates before moving, the Brazilian never found his feet in the Arsenal squad. VERDICT: bin

Gabriel (September 2020, €26 million)

The first Arteta signing that came good, the Brazilian centre-back established himself in the Arsenal starting XI since he arrived, starting in 113 of his 118 appearances for the club. Forming a formidable defensive pair with William Saliba last season, Gabriel was well worth the fee paid to Lille three years ago. VERDICT: win

Alex Runarsson (September 2020, €2 million)

Runarsson has never been anything than a backup player, playing just 15 minutes in the Premier League, and Arteta was apparently unhappy with that, going on to sign other backup keepers down the line. On loan for the last two seasons, no one could argue that the 28-year-old is a key part of Arsenal’s squad. VERDICT: bin

Thomas Partey (October 2020, €50 million)

Arteta’s first big signing was paying €50 million to Atletico Madrid for the Ghanaian midfielder. Although it took a little while for him to settle, he became a mainstay for the Gunners, starting just under 80% of matches since he arrived. VERDICT: win

Mathew Ryan (January 2021, undisclosed loan fee)

Any Arsenal fan would be within their rights to think, ‘who?’ here as the Australian signed on loan for an undisclosed fee, made just three appearances and promptly left. An odd blip on Arteta’s record, who played two thirds of his appearances in the FA Cup. VERDICT: bin

Nuno Tavares (July 2021, €8 million)

Inconsistent performances and a slightly lacking work rate meant that Tavares never found a place in the first team under Arteta, and spent 2022-23 at Marseille on loan. Although his one goal at Emirates was a memorable one against Manchester United, it looks like that Arsenal are looking for an exit for the defender meaning – VERDICT: bin

Albert Sambi Lakonga (July 2021, €17.5 million)

Playing a season and a half before going on loan to Crystal Palace, where he failed to impress, the once-promising youngster looks unlikely to find a regular spot in Arsenal’s starting lineup. Another player who looks set for a departure this summer means – VERDICT: bin

Ben White (July 2021, €58.5 million)

Spending €58.5 million on the Brighton defender raised more than a few eyebrows at the time, and unfortunately for the Englishman, Arsenal lost his first three matches at the start of 2021-22. Since then, White’s drive and phenomenal work rate have made him one of the most key figures for Arteta’s Arsenal, starting over 90% of matches played in his two years with the club. VERDICT: massive win

​Aaron Ramsdale (August 2021, €28 million)

Ramsdale didn’t immediately take over from Bernd Leno, but once he did, it was game over for the German. The 25-year-old has made some memorable saves and kept 13 clean sheets in 2022-23, joint 3rd in the Premier League. The England international signed a contract extension this summer with Arsenal, remaining at the club until at least 2026. VERDICT: win

Martin Odegaard (August 2021, €35 million)

Another player initially arriving on loan, this time from Real Madrid, Odegaard has been a highly reliable midfielder and captain, clocking 15 goals and seven assists last season alone. He is a well-rounded playmaker and was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season 2022-23. VERDICT: absolute win

Takehiro Tomiyasu (August 2021, €18.6 million)

The 24-year-old has been a mixed bag for Arsenal, delivering excellent performances when fit, but last season was largely disrupted by injuries, making him unreliable as he missed more than one third of matches due to injury. Although this put the Gunners in a sticky spot at the back, he looks promising for the coming season, joining the squad on the USA tour. VERDICT: win

Auston Trusty (January 2022, €1.8 million)

Another ‘who?’ moment, as Trusty was signed from MLS side Colorado Rapids, and then returned there on loan. Last season saw him at Birmingham City, where he started all 48 matches he played, and he has been included in Arsenal’s travelling squad this summer. However his only appearance for Arsenal came in the FC Nurnberg friendly meaning – VERDICT: bin

Marquinhos (July 2022, €3.5 million)

Another youngster who is yet to make his mark at Emirates. Last season saw the Brazilian on an unremarkable loan spell to Norwich in the Championship, making just 11 appearances. A player that has been pegged for an exit this summer, it seems that the winger never had his breakthrough moment. VERDICT: bin

Matt Turner (July 2022, €6.36 million)

The American is another signing who looks destined to remain a backup. He has only had a few outings, and if things go to plan and Ramsdale remains fit for seasons to come, it’s unlikely he will see much of the spotlight at Emirates. VERDICT: bin

Fabio Viera (July 2022, €35 million)

The Portuguese playmaker was signed with a lot of potential, but has yet to seriously impress. Lacking physicality can be tricky for a midfielder, and the coming season could be key if he wants to cement himself a place under Arteta. As it stands – VERDICT: bin

Gabriel Jesus (July 2022, €52.2 million)

Arteta made excellent use of his time with Pep Guardiola at Man City. The Brazilian was phenomenal before the Qatar World Cup broke up Arsenal’s momentum, and he missed a few months after with an injury. Although he didn’t return to the same levels as before the break, the forward has raised the level of his teammates and his manager counted on him hugely, starting him in over 80% of games last season. VERDICT: win

Oleksandr Zinchenko (July 2022, €35 million)

Joining the Gunners with Gabriel Jesus, also coming from Man City, Zinchenko was key in Arsenal’s title challenge, bringing a wealth of experience and an incredible work rate. Although he had some defensive inconsistencies, the Ukrainian promises to bring the same hunger the coming season. VERDICT: win

Leandro Trossard (January 2023, €24 million)

A quiet signing for Arsenal in January, after they failed to get Brighton to sell Moises Caicedo, Trossard has made a huge impact, averaging an assist every other game he played in the second half of the season. He could easily develop into a goal threat for Arteta as well next season. VERDICT: win

Jakub Kiwior (January 2023, €25 million)

Another under-the-radar signing, the Polish defender could well develop into an excellent defender, but looks like he is destined to be a rotation player for Arteta. He may see more match time in the coming season, as Arsenal take on the Champions League, after playing less than 500 minutes last year. His performances were good toward the end of the season however, so benefit of the doubt says – VERDICT: win

Jorginho (January 2023, €11.3 million)

The Italian was a clever signing to bring more experience into the midfield, and a sense of authority in a squad of very young players. Not necessarily a regular starter, but consistent as a sub, which is what Arteta could be looking for. VERDICT: win

Kai Havertz (July 2023, €75 million)

These last three are tricky to judge, as Havertz is the only one so far to have made a debut for Arsenal. Adding impressive experience at his relatively young age, as well as versatility up front, the German provides Arteta with a lot of options, and he could develop well under the Spaniard. VERDICT: win

Jurrien Timber (July 2023, €40 million)

Timber looks like a very stylish defender, and will add more versatility to the squad, playing as either centre-back or an inverted right-back, which is key for Arteta, after injuries were so cruel to the squad at the end of last season. He’s excellent on the ball and is another youngster who could develop very well at Emirates. VERDICT: win

Declan Rice (July 2023, €116.6 million)

Arteta’s record-breaking signing, Rice arrives at Arsenal with a lot of pressure his shoulders to live up to his £105 million fee, but he has the mentality and the hunger to use that to win trophies with the Gunners. A top holding midfielder, the English international’s arrival shows the the Gunners are getting back to the top of elite football. VERDICT: win