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13-time league winners, Arsenal, are unequivocally one of the bigger teams in England. The Gunners have been represented by some astonishing talent over the years, and the club is still home to some wonderful stars with exorbitant potential.
For the longest time, Arsenal were a club that didn't indulge their stars with heavy pay packages. However, over time, just like with most other big clubs, Arsene Wenger and the management eventually accepted that the best players need to be paid what they're worth - which in the currently inflated market, is a tad bit more than their weight in gold.
In recent times, Arsenal have strayed from their long-term policy on wage structuring, and have uncharacteristically pinned massive paychecks on their prized possessions. With that said, here is a look at the list of wages earned by 20 first-team Arsenal players at the moment:
#20 Rob Holding (Defender) - £25,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
Signed from Bolton Wanderers ahead of last season, Arsenal's 22-year-old defender, Rob Holding has shown plenty of promise in the opportunities that have been afforded to him. Last season, Holding predominantly played in the FA Cup, eventually helping Arsenal lift the title for the 3rd time in 4 seasons.
With Per Mertesacker not growing any younger, Holding could become a crucial part of this Arsenal side in the foreseeable future.
Plenty of potential, eh?
#19 Alex Iwobi (Midfielder) - £30,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
Slowly rising to prominence, Alex Iwobi may not be a regular starter at Arsenal, yet, but he's beginning to stake a claim for it. Having joined Arsenal in 2015, the Nigerian only made 21 appearances across all competitions, most of which were off the bench.
In the 2016-17 season, he started featuring more prominently as Arsene Wenger's trust in him had seemingly been built enough, and subsequently made 38 appearances in all competitions. Notably, he was used regularly in Arsenal's 2016-17 FA Cup campaign, as the Gunners went on to lift the title, thus bestowing Iwobi with a winner's medal.
Iwobi has only played 2 full Premier League games this campaign and will look to cement a place for himself in Arsenal's starting 11.
Certainly deserves more game time, doesn't he?
#18 David Ospina (Goalkeeper) - £40,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Despite having joined the club way back in 2014, David Ospina's career at Arsenal has visibly refused to take off as expected. Of course, you can't blame him for being demoted to backup goalkeeper ever since the arrival of Petr Cech in 2015.
The subsequent departure of Wojciech Szczęsny on loan to Roma allowed Ospina the chance to be Arsenal's shot-stopper in cup games - domestically, and in Europe.
At 29-years of age, Ospina will not have too many more opportunities to trigger a surge in his career, and the Colombian will just have to grab anything and everything that comes his way, with both hands.
Isn't he good enough to be a first-choice keeper?
#17 Mohamed Elneny (Midfielder) - £55,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
25-year-old Mohamed Elneny simply hasn't been able to translate his potential into performances ever since arriving at Arsenal 2 years ago. The Egyptian has been sparingly used in the Premier League, with most of his appearances coming in other domestic and European competitions.
Behind the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, and inexplicably, Granit Xhaka in Arsenal's midfield pecking order, the defensive midfielder will sure hope to play more than a bit-part role in the future for the Gunners.
Are we yet to see Elneny's best?
#16 Nacho Monreal (Defender) - £65,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Nacho Monreal moved to Arsenal in January 2013. Since then, Monreal has appeared in 35+ games (in all competitions) every season, making 45 and 43 appearances in the last two seasons, respectively.
This season too, Monreal has featured regularly for the Gunners and has even bailed them out of tight situations with some all-important goals. The 31-year-old has been a reliable man at the back for Arsene Wenger, this season as well
What an influential figure he has been at the Emirates.
#15 Danny Welbeck (Forward) - £70,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Former Manchester United youth academy product and star, Danny Welbeck moved to Arsenal in September 2014, having spent 6 full seasons with the Manchester United first team.
Since then, the Englishman has featured in 91 games across all competitions for the Gunners and has scored 22 times - in comparison to his 29 goals from 149 appearances for the Red Devils.
The arrival of former Dortmund duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is bound to restrict Welbeck's play time at the Emirates, but the 27-year old will look to make the most of the cup games to impress the gaffer and cement a spot in the starting 11 for good.
Welbeck still has a lot to offer.
#14 Per Mertesacker (Defender) - £70,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
A familiar face at the back for Arsenal, Per Mertesacker has seemingly been around forever. The three-time FA Cup winner first joined the Gunners in 2011, after 5 impressive seasons with Werder Bremen.
Since then, Mertesacker has been a bulwark for Arsene Wenger, and although his significance may have plummeted in recent times, there's no denying the importance and influence he's had at the Emirates over his 7 seasons with the club.
With 220 appearances across all competitions, the German centre-back is one of the longest-serving players at Arsenal, at the moment. Notably, the captain's armband is a usual feature around his arm whenever he takes the field.
Quite the rock when in his prime, wasn't he?
#13 Laurent Koscielny (Defender) - £75,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2020
By far Arsenal's best defender at the moment, Laurent Koscielny has single-handedly rescued the Gunners from dire trouble several times in the past. Recruited in 2010 from Lorient, the Frenchman has gone on to become an indispensable part of this Arsenal side.
With a stunning total of 313 appearances so far across all competitions, the 32-year-old is the only fixed centre-back in the side, with Arsene Wenger often mixing and matching his options to provide Koscielny with the best partner.
3-time FA Cup and 3-time FA Community Shield winner, Koscielny may not have a Premier League title to boast of, but if not for him, Arsenal, as a whole, may have had very little to brag about.
What would Arsenal do without him?
#12 Santi Cazorla (Midfielder) - £90,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
Despite having been at the club for nearly 6 whole seasons now, Santi Cazorla's career has simply refused to reach its zenith, predominantly because the Spaniard has been eternally plagued by injuries.
After 3 extremely involving seasons, Cazorla has become a perpetual benchwarmer in recent times, making just 33 appearances across all competitions in the last 3 seasons. Worryingly for Arsene Wenger and co, Cazorla hasn't featured even once this season, prompting many to ask why he still commands such a hefty wage bill at the Emirates.
Tragically, one can only wonder how sensational Cazorla could've been, had he had an injury-free career.
#11 Jack Wilshere (Midfielder) - £90,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2018
Touted by many to have been recently "reborn", the talented little kid who joined Arsenal at the early age of 9, has truly blossomed into a footballer who instils pride in the club's devout supporters.
Much like Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere has also struggled with plenty of injuries over the course of his career. Having made a mere 5 appearances in the last two seasons combined, Wilshere seems to be back at his sizzling best this season and has already made 24 appearances across all competitions this season.
Wilshere, Wenger, and every single Arsenal fan only have one prayer on their lips - Please stay fit.
Ah, the things this man is capable of with a ball at his feet is incredible.
#10 Granit Xhaka (Midfielder) - £90,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
After thoroughly impressing Arsene Wenger with his performances for Borussia Monchengladbach, Granit Xhaka was subsequently brought to Arsenal for a fee of around £30–35 million in 2016.
73 appearances in an Arsenal shirt later, some still raise questions over his price tag and his worth, but with others claiming that he can go on to become the captain of the side, the ball truly rests in Xhaka's court. Will he take his opportunities to shine? Or will he wilt away into nothingness?
For now, your guess is as good as mine.
The lad can play, eh?
#9 Shkodran Mustafi - £90,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
Shkodran Mustafi's rise to prominence has been nothing short of admirable. Ever since moving to Arsenal in 2016, the German defender has slowly, but steadily gained Arsene Wenger's trust, and has, most often than not, been trusted to partner Koscielny at the back this season.
However, with the likes of Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker and Rob Holding waiting in the wings, Mustafi will have to ensure he stays consistent if he is to retain his spot in the starting 11.
Absolutely solid at the back.
#8 Hector Bellerin (Defender) - £100,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2023
Often likened to DC Comics' speedster superhero - The Flash, Hector Bellerin is, by far, one of the fastest right-backs in not just the Premier League, but in the world. Considering that he's still just 22-years-old, what's stunning is that he's already into his 4th full season with the club - He was loaned out to Watford in his first season.
He certainly is one for the future, although Bellerin's form has dipped in recent times, the potential is there for the world to see, and in due time, and under the right guidance, he might just become the best right-back in the world.
The Flash, indeed.
#7 Petr Cech (Goalkeeper) - £100,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
Arsenal's go-to man between the sticks for the last 3 seasons, Petr Cech has proved to be a key part of Arsene Wenger's side. Having made nearly 500 appearances for Chelsea, winning a staggering total of 15 titles before joining Arsenal, the goalkeeper's reputation preceded him as he put pen to paper on a deal at the Emirates.
Since then, he has made 106 appearances for the Gunners, winning 3 titles - 1 FA Cup and 2 FA Community Shields. Aged 35, Cech might not have too much time left in his career, and will understandably look to bow out with a bang.
What a wall he has been in front of goal!
#6 Aaron Ramsey (Midfielder) - £110,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2019
After an impressive 2007-08 season with Cardiff City at the tender age of 17, it wasn't long before the big clubs started to take note of his abilities. Soon after, in June 2008, Aaron Ramsey joined Arsenal for a fee of £4.8 million, snubbing the likes of Manchester United and Everton in the process.
The rest, as they say, is history. Over the years, he's become an absolute fan favourite at the club, and has made 316 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions. While he hasn't been as consistent as the club's shareholders would've liked, Ramsey still is an indispensable part of Arsene Wenger's side, winning 5 trophies with Arsenal, so far.
Aaron Ramsey is becoming quite the club-favourite
#5 Sead Kolasinac (Defender) - £140,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2022
If you're not an avid follower of the Bundesliga, chances are you had never heard of Sead Kolasinac before he became an Arsenal player. The Bosnian left-back moved to the North London-based club in 2017 on a free transfer, after making a name for himself at Bundesliga side - Schalke.
A solid presence, Kolasinac's physicality, combined with his inclination to attack make him a menacing entity to deal with. Although Nacho Monreal seems to be Wenger's first choice left-back, Kolasinac is still in his first season at the club, and aged just 24, he could prove to become a staple part of this Arsenal side in the years to come.
Imagine him charging at you. Scary, isn't it?
#4 Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Midfielder) - £170,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
One of Arsenal's newest recruits, the former Manchester United star moved to Arsenal in a swap deal that saw club-hero Alexis Sanchez go the other way. While he may have struggled to find his touch at Old Trafford, Arsenal seems like the best fit for the Armenian.
Alongside fellow former-Borussia Dortmund star, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to capitalise on this new lease of life, and is bound to keep Arsenal's devout fans on the edge of their seats.
Will his move to Arsenal change their fortunes?
#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Forward) - £180,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2022
Arsenal's club-record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cost the Gunners a whopping sum of £56 million, and while that might not seem exorbitant considering the market's current inflation, it is the most money Arsenal have ever spent on a player.
That should be enough to tell you that the man is capable of excellence. As a result of an impeccable 2017-18 season, the Gabonese international trumped Robert Lewandowski to win the Bundesliga Top Goalscorer award.
The 28-year-old scored on his Arsenal debut against Everton, and will look to find the back of the net on a consistent basis during his time at the Emirates.
Exemplary
#2 Alexandre Lacazette (Forward) - £200,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2022
Former club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette moved to Arsenal in 2017, after lighting up Ligue 1 with Lyon for 4 seasons - 3 of which witnessed him score more than 20 league goals. Moving to Arsenal accompanied by truckloads of hype, the Frenchman has simply failed to hit the ground running.
7 months later, Lacazette has only played 7 full Premier League games, and now, the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is bound to further sideline him. However, should the Frenchman decide to fight for a place in the starting 11, the greatest benefactor will be Arsenal, as a team.
Lacazette is clearly not short on talent.
#1 Mesut Ozil (Midfielder) - £350,000/week
Contracted until: 30/06/2021
One of the greatest creators presently playing in the Premier League, tales of Mesut Ozil's abilities are widespread. Ozil moved to Arsenal in 2013 for a fee of £42.5 million (which made him the most expensive German player) on the back of 3 extremely influential seasons with Real Madrid.
Since then, Ozil has become the centre-piece of this Arsenal side, forging an excellent partnership with Alexis Sanchez before the latter departed the club.
Now, the German virtuoso finds himself accompanied by attacking, flair-filled players like Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan, and if he can continue creating the way he has so far, it's only a matter of time before Arsenal are regarded as an unstoppable side once again.
Wizard!
Source: Total Sportek (via The Daily Express)
