The recent signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sums up Arsenal’s resolve to stay on the same wavelength with their rivals, who relentlessly make additions into already talented teams. We assess the six most expensive Arsenal players signed over the course of Wenger’s career.
6. Granit Xhaka £33.8m (2016)
An hefty sum of £33m was deemed enough to lure Xhaka from FC Basel during the summer of 2016. The midfielder though, has earned a worrisome reputation for his dreadful positioning and rash tackles.
An issue which led to the 24 year old being sent off a couple of times in his first season at the club. Although, it is fair to say the Swizz has improved on these inadequacies. However, the jury is still out on Xhaka as he hasn’t been overly convincing in matches.
5. Shkrodran Mustafi £35m (2016)
The arrival of Mustafi in 2016 was heralded as pivotal in Arsenal improvement of its leaky backline. The World Cup winning defender was expected to add the defensive nous thoroughly lacking in the side. Unfortunately, the German has underwhelmed in his first two seasons at the club and was almost sold to Inter Milan last summer.
Though, Mustafi has been reinstated after that transfer debacle. The ease at which Wenger was ready to let him leave pretty much encapsulates the impact the German has made since his switch from Valencia.
4. Alexis Sanchez £35m (2014)
Sanchez was the first summer signing of 2014 for Arsenal, as he arrived on the back of a solid performance for Chile, where he helped his national team to the round of 16 in the mundial. However, Barcelona felt that he was surplus to requirement. The Catalans had already agreed a £75 million deal in principle with Liverpool for Luis Suarez.
A deal worth £35 million was agreed by both clubs which was a bargain for a player of Sanchez’s quality at that time.
Sanchez’s deal was earlier on in the summer transfer window, devoid of the usual drama which Arsenal are known for. Arsenal also signs Mathieu debuchy from Lille and that was it for that summer.
3. Mesut Ozil £38,2m (2013)
Ozil signed for Arsenal for a then club record of £38.2m in 2013. The move was highlighted as a massive statement of Arsenal’s ambitions to compete with Europe for the best players.
Although, the German has been the subject of scrutiny over his work rate and a tendency to appear disillusioned, Ozil has proven himself as a phenomenal playmaker, contributing a total of 48 assists and 20 goals in just over 135 premier league appearances for the Gunners.
2. Alexandre Lacazzette £45m (2017)
Lacazzette became Arsenal’s record signing in 2017, with Arsene Wenger shelling out a whopping £45m plus add-ons to land the hitman from Lyon, despite interestes from Paris Saint-Germain
The 26 year old starred for Lyon, incredibly scoring 129 goals in 275 appearances. That impressive goalscoring ratio saw him linked with a move to Atletico Madrid prior to his switch to north London.
Since his debut goal for Arsenal, a Lacazette performance has been mixed, proving to be a player that relies on confidence to excel. Injury worries and the impressive form of Aubameyang could probably lead to the Gabonese usurping Lacazette as the main man, further draining the Frenchman’s confidence.
1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £56m (2018)
Arsenal completed the £56m signing of Aubameyang during the winter transfer window of 2018. The club had two previous bids turned down by Borussia Dortmund before eventually completing the deal, thus shattering the club transfer record again. In fairness, the heavy outlay is justifiable as Aubemayang had a superb goalscoring record, netting 141 goals in 213 games for Dortmund since his arrival from St-Etienne in the summer of 2013.