How Arteta could actually SAVE Arsenal money despite summer spending spree

Martin Macdonald

• 30 Oct 2021 11:39 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal were the biggest spenders from the Premier League in the summer transfer market, with the Gunners shelling out around £149 million on new arrivals.

Ben White was the most expensive acquisition, coming in from Brighton for a fee of £52 million.

Martin Odegaard cost £31m from Real Madrid, Aaron Ramsdale cost £25m from Sheffield United, Takehiro Tomiyasu cost £17m from Bologna, Albert Sambi Lokonga cost £16m from Anderlecht, and Nuno Tavares cost £7m from Benfica.

It was a statement of intent from manager Mikel Arteta, who recognised a need to rebuild his squad following a disappointing 2020/21 season in which Arsenal failed to qualify for European football for the first time in a quarter of a century.

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Questions were raised due to the amount of money spent on the profile of some of the incoming, and these questions intensified following a poor start to the season.

Arsenal lost their first three games in the league to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Though there are definite signs of improvement as they are currently unbeaten in eight matches, that run has included disappointing draws against Brighton and Crystal Palace.

They are currently 10th in the table.

Though the spending spree raised some eyebrows, Arteta believes it will be worth it in the long run as the Gunners now have a defence that can play together for half a decade, meaning no more money will be spent on the backline for years.

Arteta's defence plan

“The potential [to do that] is there because of the qualities they have individually, how they can complement each other with those qualities and, obviously with the age group that we have there,” the Spaniard replied when asked if the current defence could play together for five or six years.

“If we manage them well and they are willing to sustain that, they have a really bright future."

Arteta then reserved praise for centre-back Gabriel, who has came into his own recently to become a key member of the starting XI.

“Gabriel has been crucial," he continued.

“He came back from a knee injury so he missed all the pre-season, but he came in a different way. He showed a different maturity, a different level of application.

"His lifestyle has improved a lot, his language has improved a lot, and then he has all the qualities to be a superb central defender.

"I’m really pleased with what he is doing.”