Arsenal transfers: Every signing and sale for 2021-22

James Shearman

1 Feb 2022 10:06 GMT
4 min read

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Arsenal, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Arsenal were one of the most active clubs during the summer 2021 transfer window as no less than six new players arrived at the Emirates, all at the age of 23 or younger.

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Add to that, plenty of the more experienced members of the squad were let go as manager Mikel Arteta was backed by the club's owners financially.

Arsenal were also expected to make a number of signings in the January transfer window but endured a disappointing market.

So who have Arsenal bought and sold this season?

What players have Arsenal signed in 2021-22?

Ben White: £50m - from Brighton

Martin Odegaard: £31.5m - from Real Madrid

Aaron Ramsdale: £25m - from Sheffield United

Takehiro Tomiyasu: £17m - from Bologna

Albert Sambi Lokonga: £16m - from Anderlecht

Nuno Tavares: £7m - from Benfica

Lino Sousa: Undisclosed Fee from West Brom

Austun Trusty: Undisclosed Fee from Colorado Rapids

Despite having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, the backline was clearly targeted for additions in the summer window. Ben White was the marquee signing of the summer.

Nuno Tavares acts as cover for the injury-prone Kieran Tierney whereas Takehiro Tomiyasu has immediately slotted in on the right.

Aaron Ramsdale has displaced Bernd Leno in goal, while Albert Sambi Lokonga is also a hot prospect in midfield.

Martin Odegaard was brought in after an impressive loan spell at the Emirates in the second half of last season. He brought much-needed creativity to a side otherwise heavily reliant on Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe.

Arsenal targeted a central midfielder and striker in the January window but fell short on both counts, much to the frustration of supporters. Their only signings were two youth players.

What players have Arsenal sold in 2021-22?

Joe Willock: £26.5m - to Newcastle

David Luiz: Released on Free Transfer

Willian: Free to Corinthians

Sead Kolasinac: Free to Marseille

Calum Chambers: Free to Aston Villa

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Free to Barcelona

Many an Arsenal fan were disappointed to see academy graduate Joe Willock leave the club, especially after his remarkable form for Newcastle on loan last season. The midfielder scored eight goals for the Magpies and played a huge part in helping them stay clear of the relegation places.

Mikel Arteta rules out Arsenal selling Joe Willock to Newcastle — © ProShots

However, £26.5m was an offer too good to turn down as far as Arsenal were concerned. It has proven great business.

Former Chelsea players Willian and David Luiz were deemed surplus to requirements as the Gunners look to focus more on the younger members of the squad this season.

Willian actually cancelled his own contract to leave North London.

Arsenal continued to offload older players in the January transfer window, letting Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all leave for free.

What players have Arsenal loaned in 2021-22?

Lucas Torreira: Loan to Fiorentina

Matteo Guendouzi: Loan to Marseille

William Saliba: Loan to Marseille

Dejan Iliev: Loan to SKF Sered

Reiss Nelson: Loan to Feyenoord

Runar Alex Runarsson: Loan to OH Leuven

Hector Bellerín: Loan to Real Betis

Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Loan to Roma

Folarin Balogun: Loan to Middlesbrough

Pablo Mari: Loan to Udinese

Austun Trusty: Loan to Colorado Rapids

Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba look as though they will remain out of the fold for as long as Mikel Arteta is in charge. The French pair moved to Marseille in Ligue 1 and will be hoping to impress enough to finally be given a chance at Arsenal or earn a permanent move away.

Bellerin has returned to Spain after a decade in north London.

After Feyenoord failed in a loan bid for Manchester United's Amad Diallo due to an injury to the young winger, Reiss Nelson emerged their second choice, and spends a season on loan in the Eredivisie.

Lucas Torreira, meanwhile, headed back to Serie A with Fiorentina.

During the January transfer window, Ainsley Maitland-Niles joined Jose Mourinho at Roma on loan until the end of the season. A number of other unwanted squad players and youngsters were also loaned away.