5 most expensive Arsenal signings of all time

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal - Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal - Premier League

#3 Ben White | €58 million

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Brighton & Hove Albion v Leeds United - Premier League
Brighton & Hove Albion v Leeds United - Premier League

Arsenal's latest recruit, eyebrows were raised when it was revealed that the club was paying €58 million to sign Ben White from Brighton & Hove Albion.

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White is, by all accounts, a talented centre-back. Comfortable on the ball and a good reader of the game, the England international clearly has the tools to become one of the best in the Premier League, and he should do well at his new club.

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However, Arsenal have other problems to solve in their squad and spending €58 million on a new centre-back after letting William Saliba go on loan once again has been met with surprise. White is likely to start alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back, but Saliba's future is once again a source of heavy discussion as a result.

White is a versatile player who operated at right-back and in defensive midfield last season for the Seagulls. The 23-year old was included in England's squad for Euro 2020, and it would not be shocking to see him start for his country in the near future.

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#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | €63.8 million

Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not come cheap, but the striker has had an excellent impact at Arsenal.

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Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, and scored on his debut. The Gabon international did not look back after that and has enjoyed two full seasons of elite production at the club. He scored 22 league goals in the 2018-19, as well as the 2019-20 season, and won the Premier League Golden Boot for the former campaign.

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The former Saint-Etienne man has made 148 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 85 goals and providing 19 assists. However, he was disappointing last season, scoring only 10 league goals for Mikel Arteta's side.

The 32-year old signed a new contract last September, and this deal has the potential to become an albatross around Arsenal's neck. Aubameyang is a player who relies on his pace, and with the forward now in his 30s, there is a fear that last season's poor performances were not a one-off.

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Mesut Ozil's new contract caused Arsenal huge problems and Aubayemang will be keen to ensure he remains Arsenal's main man.


#1 Nicolas Pepe | €80 million

Arsenal v Villareal CF - UEFA Europa League Semi Final: Leg Two
Arsenal v Villareal CF - UEFA Europa League Semi Final: Leg Two

It was evident the moment the fee was announced that Arsenal had overpaid for Nicolas Pepe.

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The winger joined Arsenal from Lille in 2019. While Arsenal had indeed paid a lot for Pepe, the Ivory Coast international's 2018-19 season with the Ligue 1 giants was a big source of optimism. He was expected to provide creativity, dribbling and a goal threat from out wide.

Pepe has had his moments with Arsenal, but has done little to suggest that it was prudent to spend €80 million on him. He made just 16 starts in the Premier League last season but did score 10 goals, and Arsenal fans will be hoping that the 26-year old justifies the expenditure sooner rather than later.

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The heavily-ostracised Willian started 16 games in the Premier League for Arsenal last season, and Pepe's job is clear. The winger needs to be more consistent with his performances and grab his chances as and when they appear.


Also Read: 10 greatest dribblers of all time

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Edited by Parimal
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