'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang
Despite a number of formalities being completed beforehand, Arsenal officially announced the signing of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in the 2018 winter transfer window on the last day.
The Gabon international is one of Arsenal’s best deadline-day signings, having won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2018-19 season. Aubameyang racked up 31 goals across all competitions that campaign, including 22 in the league. He also found the back of the net 22 times in the 2019-20 Premier League, missing out on the Golden Boot by a solitary goal.
However, Aubameyang has been disappointing since the beginning of the 2020-21 season, and is a key reason why Arsenal have failed to score yet in the Premier League this season.
The 32-year-old has not had his goalscoring boots in recent times, which has shifted all the burden of scoring on the young shoulders of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Nonetheless, on his day, Aubameyang remains one of the most lethal strikers in the game.
#2 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil is considered by many to be Arsenal’s best deadline-day signing of all time, and he encapsulated the best and worst qualities of the club.
Ozil was brought to English shores in the very last minutes of the 2013 summer transfer window, and was announced on 2nd September - two days after the official closing of the transfer window.
The former Germany international was undoubtedly one of the most skilful players in Premier League history, with an impeccable passing range and vision. Ozil had a reputation for picking out flamboyant passes, and was incredibly important in creating goalscoring chances, something Arsenal have dearly missed in the past few seasons.
However, Ozil was not known for tracking back, so he earned the reputation of being lazy. That eventually led to his exit from Arsenal in the 2021 winter transfer window after an eight-season-long spell at the club.
In 254 appearances at the club, Mesut Ozil was directly involved in 121 goals (44 goals, 77 assists).
#1 Mikel Arteta
After failing to land their primary target to replace Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal completed the signing of their current manager Mikel Arteta on deadline day.
The Frenchman was brought in from Everton on a £10.8 million deal in the 2011 summer transfer window. He was one of five signings brought in on deadline day after Arsenal’s 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United.
Arteta was extremely impressive in his first three years at the Emirates, emerging as a central figure at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
The now-39-year-old Spaniard emerged as a leader in the squad, and would go on to make 150 appearances for the Gunners. Arteta played a direct role in 27 goals (16 goals, 11 assists) for Arsenal before hanging up his boots slightly prematurely at the age of 34.
The Frenchman transitioned into management almost immediately, serving as an assistant manager to Pep Guardiola for over three years. Arteta then took over as manager of his former club in December 2019, and is currently under pressure following a string of poor performances.
