Top or flop? How every Arsenal signing under Arteta has performed

James Shearman

25 Aug 2021 14:00 CDT
5 min read

Why £7.2m-a-year Willian leaving Arsenal for Inter Miami is a longshot — © ProShots

How much influence Mikel Arteta has on Arsenal's recruitment is up for debate, but what isn't is that the majority of signings have failed to impress under his leadership.

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While he cannot control the fees that have been paid for his players and the high expectations that come with them, you would expect that he could at least get them to play as well as they had for their previous clubs.

But, in a lot of cases, that has not been the case.

Perhaps Arteta's biggest achievement at Arsenal is the progression of academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe.

Though he won't get credit for that in this list as we rate how the players who have joined under Arteta have performed.

Thomas Partey: £45m from Atletico Madrid (2020)

4/10

Arsenal had been crying out for a midfielder of Thomas Partey's ilk for years, but the Ghanaian's arrival has not been enough to suggest that it isn't still an area of weakness in the Gunners' squad.

In fact, the signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer could say exactly that.

In fairness, an injury-riddled season was a factor in Partey's underwhelming start to life at The Emirates, though it must be noted that when he did play he hardly set the world alight.

An important season awaits the ex-Atletico star, as he bids to prove he is worth the £45 million he cost a year ago.

Gabriel: £23m from Lille (2020)

7/10

An excellent signing, Gabriel immediately fixed one half of Arsenal's centre-back issues.

Quality on the ball but, more importantly, a solid presence at the back, the ex-Lille defender would have scored a higher rating had it not been for his regular absence through injury.

The Gunners will be looking forward to the partnership of Gabriel and Ben White this season, the best they have had for a long time.

Pablo Mari: £5m from Flamengo (2020)

4/10

A loan signing in January 2020 made permanent later that year, Pablo Mari offers nothing more than a backup defensive option.

Not a bad player by any means, but one that shouldn't be at a club pushing for European qualification such as Arsenal.

Gunners fans would not have enjoyed Romelu Lukaku's bullying of the Brazilian on Sunday afternoon.

Runar Alex Runarsson: £2m from Dijon (2020)

2/10

A backup goalkeeper comes in with little to no expectations, yet Runar Runarsson still failed to meet them.

What Arsenal had hoped was a gem at just £2m, the Icelandic keeper has since encouraged the club to spend £24m on a more capable backup this summer, in Aaron Ramsdale.

The 26-year-old will likely leave the club on loan and never feature in the Premier League again.

Willian: Free transfer from Chelsea (2020)

2/10

When Arsenal are trying to reach the levels of London rivals Chelsea, the decision to sign a player The Blues deemed surplus to requirements is nothing short of ridiculous.

It would be a massive weight off everyone’s shoulders if Arsenal can get Willian off the books, even if they do have to continue to pay some of his wages. Nothing done yet with Corinthians, but talks ongoing over a possible free transfer as is being reported.

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) August 23, 2021

A then-32-year-old on extortionate wages, Willian had to make an instant impact. But besides an excellent debut performance, he never came close to doing this.

He was eventually cast aside by Arteta in favour of the club's promising young talents, and is nearing an exit from the club.

Cedric Soares: Free transfer from Southampton (2020)

4/10

As a backup full-back, you won't come across many steadier than Cedric Soares.

On a free transfer, the signing of the Portuguese defender made sense, and he has performed accordingly.

There is not much Arteta can add to a 28-year-old's game, and so the blame for such mediocre signings like this instead fall upon technical director Edu.