Ranking Premier League clubs' transfer window 2021/22: Arsenal's signings and outgoings

Major transfers out of Arsenal

Hibernian v Arsenal - Pre-Season Friendly

1. Konstantinos Mavropanos - Stuttgart on loan with the option to buy (€7m).

Let’s be honest, Mavropanos is not going to get his chances at Arsenal. So this was a good move to give him a chance in a league where he has already proven himself.

2. Matteo Guendouzi - loan to Marseille with an obligation to purchase (€1m + €11m)

Arteta doesn’t fancy Guendouzi. It is very clear. In fairness, he has caused trouble wherever he went. So to finally get him off the wage bill is a good move. But that shouldn’t overshadow the talent that is clearly there.

3. William Saliba – Loan to Marseille with no purchase option

Ah, the question of the century. Why would Arteta send him out on loan again when Arsenal’s defense is in shambles? Why not give him the fair chance that he deserves? Nobody knows, except Arteta. The only thing that is clear is that Arteta simply doesn’t fancy Saliba, though it’s hard for fans to understand what Arteta sees in Pablo Mari and Rob Holding that he doesn’t see in Saliba.

4. Lucas Torreira - Loan to Fiorentina with an option to buy

Here is another player Arteta doesn’t see eye to eye with. Torreira struggled last season at Atletico Madrid, and this time he decided to move to a familiar patch in Italy, where he made his name. This should be a good move for the player, where he will be surrounded by familiar circumstances. As for Arsenal, if everything goes well, they will be able to make some money at the end of the season.

5. Reiss Nelson – Loan to Feyenoord

One’s curse is another one’s boon. That's what we can say about this transfer. Feyenoord were all set to sign Amad Diallo from Manchester United, but an injury to the player put an end to the deal. They immediately turned their attention to Nelson, who will now spend a year in the Netherlands. With Eredivisie’s reputation to develop young players, this should be a good school for Nelson to learn from.

6. Alex Runarsson – Loan to OH Leuven

Brought in to replace Emiliano Martinez, it is fair to say that Runarsson is nowhere good enough for Arsenal or the Premier League. It is a good thing that Arsenal found a taker for the player and got him off the wage books. With Aaron Ramsdale arriving, there is no way for the 26-year-old to get playtime this season at Arsenal.

7. Hector Bellerin - Loan to Real Betis

The “will they won’t they” question was finally answered on the deadline day. Arsenal wanted to offload the player and he wanted to leave. Earlier this transfer window, they tried to sell him to Inter Milan but the Nerazzurri failed to agree terms with the Gunners. Since then, there have been no takers for him, and it looked like he was going to stay. But, Real Betis came on the deadline day to sign him up, and Arsenal were happy to let them. Overall the move should delight both clubs and the player. Bellerin has been struggling lately, and a move back home should help him revitalize his career.

8. Willian – Free

When Arteta snapped Willian for free from Chelsea, it was hailed as a great steal, but twelve months later, he leaves the club. Fairplay to the player, who didn’t hold the club for ransom and walked away for free. But this was one of the most disappointing transfers in the club’s recent history. The underlying thing is that Arsenal wanted Willian to replicate his form at Chelsea, he couldn’t, so he left. And Arsenal have a £240,000 per week free on their wage bill.

Overall rating of Arsenal’s transfer activity – B-

Edu has done his bit, now it's time for Arsenal to show on the pitch.

As mentioned earlier, while Arsenal have done most of the things they planned to do this summer, the fans still won't be happy about it. After spending around £156.8m, Arsenal’s first team still looks the same as last season’s.

The Gunners had planned to sell Xhaka but offered him a new contract. They failed to offload Sead Kolasinac and started him against Manchester City. These are some moves that were unwelcome by a big section of fans.

There were also questions about why Arsenal would spend so much on defense when they needed to be more upfront. They clearly need a goal scorer, with Lacazette and Aubameyang struggling. While a move for Lautaro Martinez would have been unrealistic, they could have signed someone like Danny Ings for £20m.