In recent years, Arsenal have been proactive in the transfer market, investing heavily in a bid to reclaim their status as one of the best football teams in the English top-flight.
The Gunners’ approach reflects an ambition to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for major honors and they have come agonizingly close to winning the Premier League in the last two seasons but for Pep Guardiola’s indomitable Manchester City.
Soccernet.football takes a look at the most expensive signings in the history of the Gunners.
10. Ricardo Calafiori – €45m (2024)
The young center-back, who is also capable of playing at left-back, transferred in July 2024 for €45 million from the Italian side Bologna, where he had just played a key role in their unexpected qualification for the Champions League. If his performances for Bologna last season and Italy at the 2024 European Championships are anything to go by, then the Gunners have certainly acquired for themselves a very promising player.
9. Mesut Ozil – €47m (2013)
Ozil, signed from Real Madrid, arrived at Arsenal as a world-class talent and maintained that reputation throughout his time at the club. Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest playmakers, the German’s exquisite touches and remarkable skill made his transfer fee seem like a bargain. Before departing the Emirates in 2021, he made 254 appearances and recorded 44 goals and 79 assists across all competitions.
8. Thomas Partey – €50m (2020)
The Ghanaian was regarded as one of La Liga’s top midfielders during his stint with Atletico Madrid, and his transfer to Arsenal was expected to elevate their midfield. Although Partey struggled with injuries in his first two seasons at the club, he was instrumental in Arsenal’s second-place finish in the 2022/2023 Premier League season. However, he has since been replaced by Declan Rice in the Gunners’ midfield.
7. Gabriel Jesus – €52.2m (2022)
Jesus made an explosive start to the 2022/2023 season, with a transformative impact upon his arrival at the Emirates, but his career at the club hasn’t followed the same upward momentum. Last season, the Brazilian was unable to nail down a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, mainly due to his inconsistent form and profligacy in front of goal with midfielder Havertz often selected ahead of him to spearhead the Gunners’ attack.
6. Alexander Lacazette – €53m (2017)
Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017 and played a huge role for the Gunners during his five-year stay. He scored over 10 goals in four of his five Premier League seasons, tallying 71 goals in 206 appearances across all competitions. The Frenchman occasionally wore the captain’s armband while leading the attack, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t guide Arsenal back to the Champions League. After his contract expired in 2022, he returned to Lyon on a free transfer.
5. Ben White – €58.5m (2021)
Arsenal paid a substantial fee to acquire the England international from Brighton and Hove Albion after he showed real promise at the AMEX. White put on a decent display in his debut season, but truly came to the fore in an Arsenal shirt during the 2022/2023. Operating as a defensively solid right-back, White secured his spot in Arteta’s lineup and earned widespread recognition as one of the best defenders in the Premier League currently.
4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – €63.75m (2018)
Aubameyang joined Arsenal in 2018 as one of Europe’s top strikers, having made a name for himself at Borussia Dortmund. He made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals in just 13 games after arriving midway through the 2017/2018 season. In the following season, he netted 22 goals in the Premier League and played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph. However, his time at Arsenal took a downward turn in 2020 when he fell out with Arteta, leading to his exclusion from the squad and eventual departure.
3. Kai Havertz – €75m (2023)
Arsenal left many perplexed when they forked out €75 million to sign Havertz from city rivals Chelsea last summer. However, the Germany international has developed into a distinctive center-forward under Arteta. Although initially deployed in the middle of the park, Havertz proved to be more effective in the false nine position, leaving defenders struggling to find a way to contain his unpredictable movement.
2. Nicolas Pepe – €80m (2019)
Arsenal went all out to secure the exciting winger who had lit up the French top-flight league in the 2018/2019 season, however, Pepe failed to live up to his huge price tag. The Ivorian managed just five Premier League goals in his first season, but doubled that tally in his second. However, his third campaign was disastrous, with only one goal to his name. Pepe was loaned to Nice for the 2022/2023 season before joining Trabzonspor on a free transfer in September 2023.
1. Declan Rice – €116.6m (2023)
The Gunners’ most expensive signing was acquired last summer from West Ham United for a whooping €116.6 million and the England international has already made his jaw-dropping price tag seem like a huge bargain, following his performances for the north London side last season. His performances in midfield further strengthened Arteta’s side, even though they narrowly missed out on the title once again. This season, he’ll be determined to help set things right, especially with the Gunners bringing in additional reinforcements.