Over the
past decade, Arsenal have made several significant signings that have had a
profound impact on the team’s performance and success.
While not every transfer has been a success, several standout arrivals have left a lasting mark, contributing crucial goals, solidifying the defence, and redefining the squad’s character.
Declan
Rice (2023)
Declan
Rice’s arrival in July 2023 marked a significant moment in the club’s history.
Joining from West Ham for a club record of £100 million, with another £5
million in additional bonuses, he became the most expensive English player of
all time.
His first
season saw him earn the Premier League Player of the Year award at the London
Football Awards 2024 and receive a nomination for the Best FIFA Men’s Player
award.
His
performances in the Champions League further solidified his reputation, most
notably when he scored two spellbinding free-kicks in a 3-0 victory over Real
Madrid in April 2025. This feat placed him in the record books as the first
player in Champions League knockout history to score two free-kicks in the same
match.
His
consistency and influence at just 26 years old have made him indispensable to
Arsenal’s success.
Martin
Odegaard (2021)
Martin
Odegaard, who joined permanently in August 2021 for €35 million, has been the
creative heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield, renowned for his precise passing (82%
accuracy), intelligent movement, and knack for producing decisive moments.
The
Norwegian has scored 34 goals and provided 32 assists so far with the club. In
recognition of his impact, Odegaard was appointed club captain ahead of the
2022-23 season following the departures of previous leaders Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
His
accolades include Arsenal Player of the Season for 2022-23, as well as
nominations for Premier League Young Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of
the Year.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2018)
Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018 from Borussia Dortmund for £56
million, a record signing for the club at the time. Known for his reputation as
one of Europe’s fastest and most lethal forwards, the Gabonese striker represented
Arsenal’s ambition to strengthen their attacking prowess after their FA cup win
the previous season.
He scored 68
goals across 128 appearances, most notably, in the 2019-20 FA Cup, scoring
twice in the final against Chelsea and helping Arsenal lift the trophy for the 14th
time.
William
Saliba (2019)
William
Saliba, signed from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 for £27 million, has proven to
be one of Arsenal’s smartest long-term investments.
Breaking
into the first team in the 2022-23 season, he was instrumental in the club
achieving one of the league’s best defensive records, contributing to 11 clean
sheets. In 2023-24, Saliba registered 18 clean sheets, the most of any player
in the Premier League that year.
Statistically,
in the 2022-23 season alone, Arsenal conceded fewer goals with him on the pitch
compared to when he was absent.
His
performances have earned widespread praise and a nomination for the PFA Player
of the Year in 2023, highlighting the exceptional value of his signing.
Gabriel Magalhaes
(2020)
Gabriel, signed
from Lille in September 2020, for a fee of around £27 million, quickly became a
key defensive presence. The Brazilian centre-back earned the club’s Player of
the Month award three consecutive times in his debut season and scored on his
debut against Fulham.
His partnership with Saliba has provided a rock-solid
foundation at the back. In the 2023-24 season, he kept 15 clean sheets, the second-highest
total in the Premier League that year behind Saliba.
For his relatively cheap transfer fee, he has
developed into one of the league’s top defenders, proving to be an outstanding
bargain.
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