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Arsenal have made some big-money signings in recent years, but some have not worked out the way the Gunners would have wanted to.
Arsenal's five worst big-money signings
Mikel Arteta's men perhaps had a bit of a tough spell in the transfer market after their new stadium was constructed. But they have not shied away from signing players on big transfer fees in recent years.
On that note, let’s take a look at five big-money signings who have failed at Arsenal:
#1 Shkodran Mustafi - €41 million
Shkodran Mustafi arrived at Arsenal in 2016 with a lot of fanfare, as he had done well for Valencia and was a part of Germany's 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning team.
However, the German failed to put in consistent displays and had an error-prone spell at Arsenal. He was a pale shadow of the player who flourished at Valencia.
The speed and physicality of the Premier League were a bit too much for Mustafi; he was often found making the wrong decision or being out of position more often than not.
After four indifferent campaigns at Arsenal, Mustafi was allowed to leave for Schalke on a free transfer in January this year. He is currently trying to help his club avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.
#2 Henrikh Mkhitaryan - €35 million
Arsenal signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan through a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez leave for Manchester United, but it turned out to be a costly transfer for the Gunners.
While Sanchez was perhaps their best player at the time but was looking for a move out, Mkhitaryan had a poor spell at Manchester United and never really settled in England.
Mkhitaryan showed glimpses of his ability for Arsenal, but he could never recapture the form that earned him a spot in the Bundesliga team of the season in 2016 while he was with Borussia Dortmund.
The Armenian scored just nine times in 59 appearances for Arsenal, and was sold to AS Roma as the Gunners strived to minimise their losses.
Since joining the Serie A side, Mkhitaryan has somewhat rekindled his old form, having scored 20 goals in 53 appearances already for the Giallorossi.
#3 Lucas Torreira
Lucas Torreira moved to Arsenal after a good spell at Sampdoria and some impressive displays at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The diminutive Uruguayan also made a good start to life in north London, producing some bustling displays in midfield. He also earned the adulation of the fans when he scored a stunning overhead kick in the derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, Torreira’s career couldn't quite kick-on after a good first season at the club. Unai Emery’s departure was part of the reason, as it was the Spaniard who signed Torreira.
Mikel Arteta did give the player a chance. But Torreira failed to impress consistently, and Arsenal loaned him out to Atletico Madrid last summer.
The Uruguayan cost the club around £25 million. But it doesn’t look like Alex Torreira has a future at Arsenal, at least under Mikel Arteta.
#4 Calum Chambers - €20.3 million
Southampton have one of the best academies in the Premier League, and the fans got to see that when they made it to the Premier League.
Of course, the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott first rose to the limelight at Southampton before their return to the top flight. But talented players like Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Calum Chambers are the new faces.
Calum Chambers was touted as a future star after impressing for the lower age groups at Southampton, where he also made his debut at the age of 18.
He is known for his versatility, as he can play at right-back, centre-back or defensive midfield. Of course, Arsenal took notice and signed him in 2014, which isn’t a small price for a teenager. However, he is yet to really fulfill his potential, and is barely getting any first-team action.
Chambers has failed to put in authoritative performances at the back, and it doesn’t seem like his situation is going to get any better at Arsenal any time soon.
#5 Danny Welbeck - €20 million
Just 32 goals in 126 appearances is scant consolation for the price Arsenal paid to rivals Manchester United for signing Danny Welbeck in 2014.
Welbeck always had the talent, but never got the opportunity at Manchester United to impress regularly. At Arsenal, he had more of a chance to feature regularly, but he never managed a sustained run-in because of niggling injuries and poor form.
Danny Welbeck was eventually released by Arsenal after suffering a season-ending injury in 2019; the player has since had a forgettable spell at Watford subsequently.
