9) Kai Havertz (£64.8m) (24)
‘Quite what Mikel Arteta has seen from Kai Havertz at Chelsea to justify spending that kind of money on him is beyond nearly everyone. On the flip side, Arteta has built the trust of the Arsenal fan base and has earned the right to take a chance or two in the transfer market. He has taken a big one on Havertz, whose every touch in red and white is going to be analysed and critiqued. The pressure is on both the player and manager here.’
This is what I said in September 2022 and with Havertz struggling in the Arsenal midfield in his opening months at the club, everyone appeared to be spot on in doubting this signing. When Arteta moved the German up front – a position he looked lost for Chelsea – it all changed. His form up there has been ridiculous.
So ridiculous that Arteta decided not to sign a new striker in the summer.
8) David Raya (£27m + £3m loan fee) (19)
Turns out Arteta knows what he’s doing. Arsenal fans are not going to doubt their manager again after proving to be right in the Raya/Ramsdale debacle. Oh, and with Havertz.
A lot of it was down to the defence in front of him, but Raya’s Golden Glove was vindication.
7) Benjamin White (£52m) (7)
The transfer fee raised many eyebrows, with many laughing at Arsenal for paying more for White than Manchester United did for Raphael Varane. Who’s laughing now, huh? Just imagine how good he would be if he was ‘sufficiently interested in football’.
6) Leandro Trossard (£21.4m) (13)
Arsenal saw an opportunity with Trossard after missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk and capitalised to bring him in for a very respectable fee in January 2023.
We all knew Trossard was a good player but did not expect him to contribute as much as he has for Arsenal. He has that clutch gene in him, for sure, scoring huge goals against Porto, Bayern Munich, Everton, Chelsea, Burnley, Liverpool, Wolves, Manchester United and Leicester City. Clutch indeed.
5) Gabriel Magalhaes (£23.4m) (3)
Signed for more than his left foot, Gabriel is an excellent player and formed a terrific partnership with Benjamin White in 21/22 before doing so once with William Saliba over the last two and a bit seasons. A little over £23m is a right bargain, too.
Is there a better centre-back partnership in club football than Gabriel and Saliba? We’re waiting…
4) Declan Rice (£101m) (4)
The fact Rice is only fourth shows just how impressive Arsenal’s recruitment has been.
His debut season at the Emirates was everything Arsenal fans dreamed of and more. The consistency was off the charts and his ability both on and off the ball exceeded expectations. There are not many footballers who can justify costing over £100m but Rice has done so in one year. It is now up to him to continue his form and get even better.
3) Gabriel Martinelli (£6.4m) (1)
The signing of Martinelli for £6.4m was a masterstroke from the club’s scouts. We have begrudgingly moved him from top spot. He sits third behind an Emery signing and an Arteta buy, who is top.
Before moving to north London, Martinelli had a trial with Manchester United, who opted not to sign him because they don’t tend to make good decisions in that department.
With his injury problems behind him after some terrific management from Arteta, the Brazilian winger will continue to progress with his transfer value around twenty times what the Gunners paid to sign him from Ituano.
2) William Saliba (£27m) (9)
In 2022, Saliba finally returned to Arsenal to become a first-team regular last summer after three loans. He was magnificent in 22/23 and his absence in the title run-in was devastatingly obvious. The 23-year-old was fit all of last season and Arsenal were even better than they were the year before. Their title challenge, with Saliba able to play every single minute, lasted until the last kick of the season.
Saliba is comfortably a top-five central defender in the Premier League – if not world football – at the age of 23. He is a serious talent and can become the best centre-back in world football. For £27m as well, which is a bargain.
1) Martin Odegaard (£31.5m + £1.8m loan fee) (4)
In the modern market, £33m for Martin Odegaard is a stroke of genius. He is the very best of a stellar bunch. Moving Martinelli from his long-standing place in first was difficult. The Brazilian was a bargain and has blossomed into a wonderful player thanks to Arteta’s coaching and the player’s hard work, of course.
Norway and Arsenal captain Odegaard is the heartbeat of Arteta’s team and leads by example on and off the pitch. The term world-class is extremely subjective so we won’t go there. But…you know what I am thinking. The sky is the limit for this young man. What a gem Arsenal have on their hands. And he is only going to get better.
0 Comments