Arsenal’s best and worst signings in the 2024/25 season ranked

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The 2024/25 season was another difficult season for Arsenal. Despite finishing second in the Premier League, the Gunners fell short of silverware. The silverware wait for Mikel Arteta’s team drags on following an early FA Cup exit, Premier League stumble, and double semi-final heartbreaks.

But the team still enjoyed some great moments: beating Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals made fans hope for European success; the big win against Manchester City in February helped release two years of frustration; and the recent 1-0 victory over Newcastle United gave the team a boost to secure Champions League football for next season before the final game.

These incredible results came from the effort of both the managerial team and the effort of the 22-man squad across both phases of the season. Manager Mikel Arteta’s summer and signings had mixed results, with some players making significant impacts and others failing to meet expectations. Here’s a breakdown of Arsenal’s signings performances this season, ranked from the least to most successful.

Neto (Loan from Bournemouth)

Brazilian goalkeeper Neto joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024 after Ramsdale’s move to Southampton. However, he made just one appearance throughout the season in a 2-1 victory against Girona in the UEFA Champions League. He failed to challenge David Raya for the starting spot and this limited involvement suggests that the move did not add significant value to the squad. Neto was named as one of the four players to leave Arsenal this summer.

Raheem Sterling (Loan from Chelsea)

Raheem Sterling’s loan move from Chelsea was met with optimism, but the winger struggled to make an impact. For a player who has vast Premier League experience with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, Sterling’s form seems to decline with age. 

The English International promised a fresh start after struggling in West London with a bold claim on arrival to the Emirates Stadium, and with over 50% of his wages still covered by his parent club – Chelsea. However, the 29-year-old failed to make good progress under Mikel Arteta who he has previously worked with in his time as Assistant Manager in Manchester City. 

Sterling managed only one goal in under 1,000 minutes of play across all competitions and it came against Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup. The 29-year-old was named in the Matchday squad in 48 games but only played 28 games as bench support even while Arsenal whilst through an injury crisis. He follows in the footsteps of Willian, Stephan Lichtsteiner, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as ‘free’ signings whose performances were massively disappointing.

Mikel Arteta and the club have decided not to pursue a permanent deal for the winger due to this underwhelming performance. We expect him back in a Chelsea shirt this summer to create room for a more productive player.

Riccardo Calafiori (£42m from Bologna)

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori bolstered Arsenal’s backline with his arrival from Bologna. He was much expected to own Arsenal’s left-back position given Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness issues and Zinchenko’s poor form. However, the Italian missed out on 22 Matchday squads due to injury and made 29 appearances for the Gunners while not living up to the hype he enjoyed in Italy.

Calafiori scored a stunning goal against Manchester City, earning the club’s Goal of the Month award for September. He also scored important goals against Wolves and PSV Eindhoven, demonstrating his offensive capabilities from defense. While not his best season in terms of performance, tackles, and duels won, the Italian remains of much value to Mikel Arteta’s side as they keep the hopes of silverware alive.

Kieran Tierney (End of Loan at Real Sociedad)

While not a new signing for the Gunner, Kieran Tierney returned from an adventurous season in Spain to boost Arteta’s squad for the 2024/25 season. He joins the list of underwhelming left-backs and players held back by injury this season.

To be fair, even without his hamstring issues, he likely wouldn’t have played much since he had already lost his place in the Arsenal squad. He only played more than one half in four matches this season, but he impressed every time and probably deserved a better farewell – if not for his performances, then for his professionalism.

His goal against  Southampton on the final matchday was a nice moment. Tierney is set to return to Celtic this summer, where he should get the regular game time his talent deserves.

Mikel Merino (£31.6m from Real Sociedad)

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino arrived with high expectations but faced an early setback with a shoulder injury during his first training session. He eventually made his debut in October and showed versatility by filling in as a striker during Kai Havertz’s injury absence. 

He adapted well to the Premier League, contributing both in midfield and attack. His versatility proved valuable, especially during injury crises, and he played a key role in important victories, including a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. During this incredible run of form, the Spaniard was involved in 11 goals in 17 games. We look forward to seeing more from the 28-year-old in the coming season.

Ethan Nwaneri (Academy Promotion)

While not a traditional signing, Ethan Nwaneri’s promotion from the academy deserves mention. His emergence as a first-team player for Arsenal was one of the season’s highlights.

The 17-year-old midfielder made headlines in the previous season by scoring his first Premier League goal against Nottingham Forest, becoming one of the youngest scorers in league history. He added goals in domestic cups and the Champions League in his 37 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, showcasing immense potential for the future. 

His ability to influence games at such a young age, including scoring in high-stakes matches shows the youngster is destined for a bright future. Although he didn’t have much play-time towards the end of the season, his development is a testament to Arsenal’s successful youth academy system. 

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Academy Promotion)

Another Academy call-up Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a rapid rise in the 2024/25 season. He began the campaign in Premier League 2 but was promoted to the first-team bench by late August. Although Mikel Arteta is usually cautious with young players, injuries gave Lewis-Skelly an early opportunity to step up.

Now a regular in the squad, the 18-year-old has made 32 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League, delivering standout moments like scoring his first Arsenal goal in a 5-1 win over Manchester City and assisting Merino’s third goal against Real Madrid.

To perform so confidently at this level, at such a young age, and in his debut season, is impressive. There’s real hope he’ll continue to grow in the seasons ahead.

David Raya (£27m from Brentford)

Following a successful loan spell last season, Arsenal secured David Raya’s services permanently. The Spanish goalkeeper delivered yet another impressive year in 2024/25 and solidified his place as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

He started the season in exceptional form, producing a stunning save against Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa in August, followed by an extraordinary double penalty save against Atalanta on Champions League matchday one. Raya made 41 appearances and kept 20 clean sheets across all competitions. His performances earned him the Premier League Golden Glove award and a spot in the Team of the Season. 

While his form fluctuated slightly as the season progressed, Raya has consistently performed at a high level and played a key role in securing the league’s best defensive record for the Gunners.

Arsenal’s 2024/25 signings had varying degrees of success. While some players struggled to make an impact, others, like Ethan Nwaneri and David Raya, exceeded expectations. As the club looks ahead to the next season, building on these successes and addressing areas of weakness will be crucial for mounting a serious title challenge.

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