Arsenal spent the most out of any club in Europe this summer as Mikel Arteta went crazy in the transfer market, signing six players for the first team in one of the biggest shopping sprees in the club’s history.
At the time, next-to-all of the signings were seen as unimpressive, with Gary Neville criticising Arsenal for seemingly bringing in players with no real plan or direction.
However, fast-forward to today, and it’s hard to argue that the business the Gunners did in the summer was nothing short of brilliant.
All six players, all aged 23 or under when signed, have improved the Gunners in one way or another. And heading into 2022, the group will play a huge role for Arsenal in their quest to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, which could well be on the cards.
But just how impressive was Arteta’s business in the summer? Here, we delve into each signing the Gunners made and rank just how good they have been for the north London club in the first half of the season.
Martin Odegaard
Following the exit of Martin Odegaard from loan at the end of last season, the Gunners had to replace the Norwegian with a playmaker who was as good as the Real Madrid star. However, as luck would have it, the youngster was allowed to leave the Spanish giants for good in August, and the midfielder returned to north London on a permanent deal.
Whilst his return to England was slow at first, Odegaard has regained a place in the starting XI and has once again been solid under Arteta. The 22-year-old has surprisingly been a goalscoring threat for Arsenal, and the youngster is beginning to show why the Gunners worked so hard to bring him back to the club for good.
Ranking: 8/10
Aaron Ramsdale
Where do we even begin with Aaron Ramsdale? When the transfer was announced, there was outrage from fans at the club that they had spent close to £24m on a keeper who probably wouldn’t even be first-choice with Bernd Leno still at the club. Skip to December, and every Arsenal fan has since gone back on their word and then some.
The 23-year-old has arguably been the best keeper in the Premier League so far this season after making the number one spot his own, with Ramsdale winning two Arsenal Player of the Month awards and representing England for the first time at senior level. His transfer seemed ridiculous at the time, but the shot-stopper has proved to be one of the bargains of the summer.
Ranking: 10/10
Albert Sambi Lokonga
When Vincent Kompany is raving about your quality and handing you the armband for a historic club in R.S.C. Anderlecht at just 21-years-old, you know you have some serious potential, and that’s the case for Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The Belgian international was signed by the Gunners early in the summer, and the youngster has impressed when given a chance in the midfield. Chances have been limited with Arteta persisting with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, but based on the form of the duo, it won’t be long until Lokonga is back in the XI.
Ranking: 7/10
Nuno Tavares
The cheapest player Arsenal signed in the summer, Nuno Tavares was brought in from Benfica for a reported £7m for one thing and one thing only, compete and provide back-up to Kieran Tierney. And the Portuguese youngster has exceeded expectations.
The left-back has been an explosive presence for the Gunners, with Tavares impressing in the absence of Tierney, so much so that Arteta even kept the youngster around in the XI after the Scotsman had returned from an injury. Indeed, the 21-year-old still has much to learn. But so far, the defender has looked like a shrewd piece of business for Arsenal.
Ranking: 8/10
Takehiro Tomiyasu
With Hector Bellerin leaving on loan for Real Betis, a right-back was needed to challenge Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares, and deadline day target Takehiro Tomiyasu has firmly made the position his own.
The towering Japanese fullback has been a commanding presence down the right flank and a vital cornerstone for a new-look Arsenal defence. And the former Bologna star’s aerial and defensive qualities have already made Tomiyasu a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium
Ranking: 8/10
Ben White
When David Luiz left at the end of his contract, it was clear that Arteta was eager to bring in another ball-playing defender to partner alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, and Brighton and Hove Albion star Ben White was brought in to replace the veteran Brazilian.
At a reported £50m, the 24-year-old was the most expensive player Arsenal signed in the summer. And whilst White has been a solid addition to the club, mainly due to his ball-carrying and progressive passing to kick-start attacks, there have been times where the England centre-back has struggled defensively when playing against quality Premier League opposition.
Ranking: 6/10
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