Ranking Arteta’s top 15 worst signings for Arsenal

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Arsenal’s form in recent seasons has been thanks to the managerial brilliance of Mikel Arteta. Since returning to the club as head coach, the Spaniard has been backed by the Kroenke Family to oversee significant changes at Arsenal, bringing in key players to rebuild the squad. 

However, not every signing has been a success. Some players struggled to adapt, while others failed to justify their transfer fees. In some cases, poor squad management or high wages made it difficult for Arsenal to offload underperforming players. Here, we will rank Arteta’s 15 worst signings based on their impact, cost, and overall contribution to the team.

• Willian (Free Transfer)

First on the list is ex-Chelsea winger William. His signing is viewed in different ways, depending on how much weight is given to the fact that he arrived on a free transfer. However, his reported £240,000-a-week salary made this a costly move. To his credit, Willian chose not to fight against terminating his contract after just one season, walking away from nearly £20 million in guaranteed earnings.

The Brazilian never played in front of Arsenal’s fans due to the pandemic, raising questions about whether the circumstances affected his performances. Given his strong final season at Chelsea and his subsequent resurgence at Fulham, it remains unclear why his time at Arsenal was unsuccessful.

• Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17.2 Million)

Lokonga’s signing is increasingly looking like an error for the Gunners. Despite loan spells at Crystal Palace and Luton Town, he struggled to make a lasting impression since his recruitment by Mikel Arteta. One major issue with Arsenal’s out-of-favor players is their high wages, which make permanent transfers to other clubs difficult. Sevilla is currently loaning him without an obligation to buy, and this situation is unlikely to change until his contract expires.

• Nuno Tavares ( £8 Million)

Tavares’ time at Arsenal highlighted the challenges in Mike Arteta’s player management. His early substitution in both an FA Cup and a Premier League match suggested that Mikel Arteta lost confidence in him quickly. Additionally, his portrayal in Arsenal’s All or Nothing documentary showed tension between the player and the manager. Tavares has since prioritized loan deals with purchase clauses, ensuring he does not return to Arsenal. His performances in the Italian Serie A indicate that the club may have missed out on a higher transfer fee due to these management issues.

• Alex Rúnarsson (£2 Million)

Rúnarsson’s had limited appearances while still with the team at the Emirates. A difficult outing in a League Cup match against Manchester City made it clear he was not suited for Arsenal’s level.  After several loan spells in Belgium, Turkey, and Wales, the Icelandic goalkeeper eventually had his contract terminated.

• Auston Trusty (£1.8 Million)

Trusty’s case is an example of long-term planning in transfers. He never played a game for Mikel Arteta or represented the Gunners. Signed from Colorado Rapids, he was immediately loaned back and later gained experience in the English Championship with Birmingham City, where he was named Player of the Season. However, he never played for Arsenal and was sold for £5 million, making the club a profit. His struggles with Sheffield United at the Championships suggest he may not have been suited for the Premier League.

• Marquinhos (£3.5 Million)

Marquinhos arrived at Arsenal with a strong reputation in Brazil and even earned a Golden Boy nomination. He made an impressive start in the Europa League but has since had mixed results during loan spells at Norwich and Nantes. At 21, he is currently back in Brazil, fighting to find his lost form.

• Fábio Vieira (£35 Million)

Vieira’s transfer is one of the most questionable investments Arsenal has ever made. The club spent £35 million to sign him from Porto, only to send him back on loan within two seasons. At 24, he may still adapt to English football, but his performances back in Portugal have not been particularly convincing. While Arteta frames the loan as part of Vieira’s development, there are doubts about his long-term future at Arsenal.

• Raheem Sterling (Loan)

Sterling’s arrival at Arsenal was a last-minute decision on deadline day, with Chelsea covering most of his wages. While it was a low-risk move, he has not had much impact, often remaining on the bench even when Arsenal needed attacking reinforcements. His best years appear to be behind him, and it remains to be seen if he can revive the form he displayed in Manchester City while Arteta was still their assistant coach.

• Neto (Loan)

Some criticism of Neto’s loan move to Arsenal is misplaced. His move was primarily about providing experienced backup for goalkeeper David Raya in case of injury. While he struggled to make his mark on his debut, having an experienced second-choice goalkeeper benefitted the team.

• Matt Ryan (Loan)

Similar to Neto, Ryan was brought in as a backup goalkeeper with Premier League experience. He played just three matches, keeping one clean sheet.

• Matt Turner (£6 Million)

Turner primarily served as Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper and never played a Premier League match for the club. Despite his strong performances for the U.S. national team, he has yet to prove himself at club level, struggling to make a difference at Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

• Pablo Marí (Loan / £10 Million)

Arsenal signed Marí on an initial loan deal and later made the transfer permanent. While he was a reliable squad player, the club ultimately loaned him out for two years before Monza triggered a release clause. Arsenal effectively broke even on the transfer.

• Mikel Merino (£32 Million)

It may be too soon to judge Merino’s transfer. Some players take time to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity, but given the significant investment, expectations were higher. His limited appearances suggest he has yet to earn Arteta’s trust. His off-the-bench brace against Leicester City has made him a regular starter in the vacant center forward position.

• Jakub Kiwior (£19 Million)

Kiwior’s role at Arsenal remains unclear. When injuries occurred in defense, Arteta often chose alternative solutions rather than relying on him. Despite his £19 million price tag, he has not been given a regular starting role. However, interest from Italian clubs suggests he is still highly regarded outside England.

• Cédric Soares  (Loan / Free Transfer)

Cédric initially joined Arsenal on loan before signing permanently on a free transfer. While not a standout player, he was a reliable defensive option. Eventually, the club loaned him out to reduce the wage bill. Unlike some phased-out players, Arteta still included him in matchday squads, demonstrating a level of trust in the Portuguese defender.

On the bright side, the majority of the Spaniard’s signings have been of great value to the club. The signings of recent Captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Dan White, Gabriel, Dan Smith, David Raya, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Jorginho, Trossard, Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, Timber, Ramsdale, Calafiori and Kai Harvertz has greatly influenced and continues to bolster the club’s performances in recent seasons.

Arsenal’s transfer activity like every other club reflects a mix of successes and missteps. Some signings have shown promise, while others have struggled to make an impact. High wages and managerial decisions have played a role in determining whether players succeed or are moved on. Going forward, balancing long-term planning with immediate squad needs will be essential for Arsenal’s transfer strategy. This has been evident in their reluctance to make panic signings, especially in the winter transfer windows, as seen in the January 2025 window when they failed to secure a striker in the closing days before the deadline or a free agent to fill the role despite losing all their center forwards to severe end of the season injuries.

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