Arsenal’s transfer dealings under Mikel Arteta have been comprehensively assessed in a detailed review covering all 43 players signed during the Spanish coach’s spell at the helm.
Arteta inherited a club in disarray when he was appointed in late 2019. Despite it being his first role in management, few predicted that within six years he would transform the north London side into European contenders and Premier League champions. The journey featured numerous setbacks and disappointments along the way.
The north Londoners have made extensive use of the transfer market throughout Arteta’s reign. Originally operating as a head coach before elevation to manager, the Spaniard’s influence on recruitment expanded significantly after initially working within existing structures, implementing quick fixes and conducting squad reshuffles.
Some acquisitions have proven unsuccessful, including commercial considerations such as Auston Trusty, emergency short-term measures like goalkeeper Neto, and ill-judged risks including Willian and Raheem Sterling. However, others including David Raya and Martin Odegaard proved transformative, reshaping the team’s core and defining a remarkable period in the club’s history.
With Bruno Guimaraes representing the most recent addition to Arteta’s roster, the club now possesses one of the most formidable squads in global football. Each deal contributed to raising standards in north London – here is how all 43 transfers under Arteta are ranked, from disappointments to pivotal moves.
43. Runar Alex Runarsson – £1.5m in 2020
Runarsson arrived as a misguided emergency acquisition whose high-profile mistake against Manchester City in the League Cup severely damaged his confidence at an early stage. He spent multiple periods on loan away from London before mutually terminating his contract.
42. Auston Trusty – £2m in 2022
This deal was influenced by shared ownership between Arsenal and Trusty’s former MLS club Colorado Rapids through Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The Gunners utilized their connections to send him on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship where he earned Player of the Season honours, before selling him to Sheffield United for approximately £5m – without him making a single competitive appearance for the first team.
41. Neto – Loan in 2024
Neto signed on an emergency deadline-day loan from Bournemouth to provide backup for David Raya between the posts. During his sole competitive outing, a Champions League fixture against Girona, he experienced a nightmare moment when he rushed 25 yards outside his penalty area, found himself in no-man’s-land, and left an empty net for Arnaut Danjuma to tap into.
40. Tommy Setford – £840,000 in 2024
Setford was recruited from Ajax as a promising young goalkeeper to develop within the academy and train alongside the senior side. Having made just one senior appearance, his signing represented a long-term gamble and it remains uncertain whether he will establish himself as a regular squad member.
39. Mat Ryan – Loan in 2021
A lifelong Arsenal supporter who fulfilled a dream during a six-month loan spell, delivering steady and dependable performances across three first-team appearances. He fulfilled his role as a short-term option without complication.
38. Marquinhos – £3m in 2022
Marquinhos found the net on a memorable debut against FC Zurich but soon discovered the leap from Brazilian football to the Premier League too demanding. Several uninspiring loan spells followed as his prospects in north London diminished.
37. Matt Turner – £5.5m in 2022
Turner became a popular squad member who performed admirably during Europa League and domestic cup matches with consistent goalkeeping. His restricted distribution abilities ultimately limited his tenure to a single season before joining Nottingham Forest.
36. Raheem Sterling – Loan in 2024
Sterling represented a late loan acquisition by former sporting director Edu Gaspar offering elite experience, but largely disappointed. His single campaign produced only occasional glimpses of quality, yet his consistently underwhelming displays were made more irritating by his previous record of causing Arsenal defensive problems.
35. Willian – Free in 2020
Willian was a controversial acquisition from rivals Chelsea during Raul Sanllehi’s leadership on an extraordinarily expensive free transfer and managed just one goal in 37 appearances during a disappointing 2020/21 season. Creditably, the Brazilian veteran agreed to terminate his contract early without seeking compensation.
34. Pablo Mari – £7m in 2020
A stopgap signing who provided composed left-footed defending and important cup goals during Arsenal’s transitional period initially. Mari swiftly became expendable as Arteta sought to raise the squad’s athletic capabilities.
33. Illan Meslier – Free
The French goalkeeper arrives without a transfer fee as a backup option seeking to rebuild his reputation at the highest level. He is set to be third choice which seems sensible given his inability to secure a place at Leeds.
32. Albert Sambi Lokonga – £17.2m in 2021
Lokonga was signed as a promising project displaying neat passing ability, but frequently struggled with the positional discipline required in Arteta’s system. Multiple loan spells followed before he completed a permanent move to Hamburg last summer.
31. Dani Ceballos – Loan in 2020
Ceballos was re-signed on loan by Arteta in 2020 after playing an impressive part in the FA Cup victory, showing glimpses of quality and high work rate. However, inconsistency during his second season diminished his impact before returning to Madrid.
30. Kepa Arrizabalaga – £5m in 2025
Kepa fulfilled his role as Arsenal’s backup goalkeeper in cup competitions admirably last season until his mistake in the Carabao Cup final cost the club the trophy. The Spaniard has been unreliable since.
29. Fabio Vieira – £29.9m in 2022
Vieira displayed flashes of creative quality and an excellent left foot, but found the physical demands of the Premier League challenging. Injuries and tactical considerations ultimately limited him to a peripheral role and Arsenal continue working to secure him a permanent move elsewhere after several seasons on loan.
28. Cedric Soares – £1m in 2020
One of Arteta’s earliest signings, Cedric exemplifies the perplexing recruitment during the Sanllehi ‘banter era’. While never seriously challenging for a starting position, the right-back functioned as a useful and uncomplicated squad player during the early rebuilding phase.
27. Nuno Tavares – £8m in 2021
Tavares was an energetic presence whose attacking runs were frequently undermined by costly defensive errors in transition. Following an erratic first season, he was sent on loan multiple times, never quite reaching his potential in north London.
26. Christian Norgaard – £10m in 2025
Norgaard did not feature as frequently as he would have preferred during his sole season at Arsenal last term before recently being sold to Everton. However, he merits inclusion here due to his professionalism and widely discussed leadership role behind the scenes as the Gunners secured the title.
25. Jorginho – £12m in 2023
Jorginho arrived as an experienced campaigner providing crucial composure in important matches, leadership qualities and sophisticated tactical control from the substitutes’ bench. His know-how proved invaluable in steering a youthful squad through tense title race conclusions.
24. Jakub Kiwior – £17.3m in 2023
A quiet, dependable squad member who stepped up admirably during defensive injury crises at both left-back and centre-back positions. Kiwior’s tactical awareness and passing ability offered solid support when thrown into demanding fixtures, and Arsenal managed to generate profit from the Pole’s sale this summer.
23. Noni Madueke – £48.5m in 2025
Provided explosive speed and direct one-on-one dribbling ability to give Arsenal an alternative option to Bukayo Saka on the wing last season. While occasionally frustrating to observe, Madueke’s direct approach offered a useful spark when introduced against tiring defenders.
22. Takehiro Tomiyasu – £17m in 2021
A versatile defender who delivered outstanding defensive performances across the entire back line whenever required. Unfortunately, persistent injury problems prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter and deprived him of potential legendary status.
21. Cristhian Mosquera – £13m in 2025
Mosquera contributed raw physical power and pace to strengthen Arsenal’s central defensive options last summer. He proved to be one of the best value acquisitions of the transfer window given his dependable performances across the back line at such a young age.
20. Christos Tzolis – £34m
Recruited as an intriguing left-wing option with impressive skill and decision-making ability, the Greece international enhances quality in Arteta’s forward line. Tzolis is definitely one to monitor this season and, based on his summer performances, he should climb this ranking rapidly.
19. Aaron Ramsdale – £24m in 2021
A popular figure whose arrival restored belief and leadership to Arsenal’s defence. Goalkeeper Ramsdale played a crucial role in returning the club to Champions League football before losing his position to David Raya and departing.
18. Thomas Partey – £45m in 2020
Based purely on his on-field performances, the Ghanaian’s elegant turning ability and vertical passing made him a world-class central midfield anchor for a period. However, persistent injury problems prevented him from completing full uninterrupted seasons.
17. Viktor Gyokeres – £55m in 2025
Brought powerful physical presence, tireless channel running and a clinical goalscorer’s instinct to Arsenal’s attack and concluded last season’s title-winning campaign as their leading marksman. Gyokeres occasionally frustrated supporters with his overall play but continues crafting his Arsenal story.
16. Oleksandr Zinchenko – £30m in 2022
A transformative figure whose arrival helped reshape Arsenal’s tactical approach by pioneering the inverted left-back position. While defensive weaknesses eventually reduced his playing time, Zinchenko’s winning mentality and technical abilities were fundamental to the team’s progression.
15. Piero Hincapie – £34.5m in 2025
Hincapie represented a somewhat unexpected late summer loan acquisition when most believed Arsenal had finished their business. However, credit to the Ecuadorian, it is difficult to imagine the Gunners winning the league and reaching the Champions League final without his aggressive tackling and defensive resolve. His permanent transfer earlier this summer had been agreed the previous year.
14. Martin Zubimendi – £55.8m in 2025
The Spanish midfielder arrived at Arsenal to control the tempo of matches and provide press-resistant passing from deep positions. Instead he became recognised for his tactical discipline, scoring ability and ball-winning qualities, particularly during the first half of last season when he was instrumental to the title triumph.
13. Eberechi Eze – £67.5m in 2025
Provided skill, unpredictable dribbling and ball-carrying dynamism to break down defensive formations in tight Premier League fixtures. His capacity for producing moments of individual brilliance gave Arsenal an additional dimension in crucial matches last season – and nobody could forget the five goals against Spurs.
12. Gabriel Jesus – £45m in 2022
Jesus’ arrival from Manchester City fundamentally altered the squad’s mentality towards winning and introduced pressing intensity during the early stages of Arsenal’s title challenge. Although injuries affected his goal-scoring, his excellent link-up play and goals during his initial months at the club represents one of the highest peaks any player reached during the Arteta era.
11. Bruno Guimaraes – £75m
Following a transfer pursuit spanning several months, Arteta finally secured his target. The former Newcastle captain’s genuine impact remains to be evaluated, but expectations are extremely high for him to become a crucial member of Arsenal’s midfield.
He arrives as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders, explaining the substantial fee. The sole drawback is that at 28, he does not align with Arteta’s typical younger recruitment approach.
10. Mikel Merino – £33m in 2024
Despite limited initial familiarity with him, Merino rapidly won over supporters with his tactical awareness and ability to win duels. His aerial ability provides essential balance during tight domestic and European matches, and his evolution into a prolific goalscorer has earned him cult hero status at the Emirates.
9. Leandro Trossard – £27m in 2023
Possibly the best value acquisition of the Arteta era, providing immediate impact, crucial goals and tactical flexibility across the forward line. His composed finishing and ability to perform under pressure in tight situations made him an essential asset before his departure this summer.
8. Jurrien Timber – £34m in 2023
Following a devastating ACL injury that postponed his debut season, the versatile Dutch defender returned to showcase his world-class abilities and athletic intensity at right-back. His composure under pressure makes him an ideal tactical asset for Arteta’s adaptable system and among the finest in his position globally.
7. Kai Havertz – £65m in 2023
Dominated early scepticism by developing into a crucial focal point for Arsenal’s attack through his outstanding off-the-ball movement and work rate. His talent for scoring important goals in significant matches proved Arteta’s belief in him was entirely justified.
6. Riccardo Calafiori – £33.6m in 2024
Were it not for his ongoing injury problems, Calafiori would likely have ranked even higher, given the Italian embodies total football principles and contributes across the pitch with vital interventions. He was signed following a successful European Championship campaign, making him one of the most sought-after full-backs globally at the time.
5. Ben White – £50m in 2021
Overcame initial media doubts about his price tag through exceptional tactical intelligence and perfect overlapping timing at right-back. His consistency, defensive determination and excellent partnership with Saka make him one of the most significant signings of the Arteta era, as well as a supporter favourite.
4. Gabriel Magalhaes – £27m in 2020
Signed for a reasonable fee in 2020, the Brazilian defender has developed into one of Europe’s finest centre-backs and a formidable set-piece threat. His formidable partnership with William Saliba formed the foundation for Arsenal’s revival.
3. David Raya – £27m in 2023
A bold tactical decision by Arteta that raised eyebrows initially, given Ramsdale was a popular figure at the time. The greatest compliment for Raya is that the controversy surrounding his arrival rapidly dissipated and the Spaniard justified Arteta’s faith by winning three consecutive Premier League Golden Gloves, helping transform Arsenal’s defence into the meanest in the country.
2. Martin Odegaard – £30m in 2021
Initially arriving on loan, Odegaard swiftly demonstrated his quality and leadership abilities under Arteta and became one of the league’s finest playmakers, arguably fulfilling the potential he showed as a prodigy at Real Madrid. As club captain, the Norwegian midfielder has been the tactical mastermind and driving force of Arteta’s side – both defensively and when in possession.
1. Declan Rice – £105m in 2023
The celebrations of ‘We bought him half-price’ merely illustrate the profound impact Rice has made during his three seasons at Arsenal. His combination of leadership qualities, tactical intelligence and athletic power makes him the definitive benchmark of the Arteta era, having been fundamental to ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy.