AFTV top five post Wenger era signings


Gabriel Martinelli


AFTV top five post Wenger era signings

By Will Castle

It’s been a turbulent time for Gunners fans since Arsene Wenger bowed out of management in 2018, calling it a day after 22 memorable years in North London.

In four seasons since the Frenchman’s departure, supporters have witnessed managerial changes, player scandals and mass protests against the ownership - all while failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

However, under Mikel Arteta, things are beginning to look on the up again, and this is in large part due to a handful of fantastic signings, most of whom have been at the centre of Arsenal’s rebuild in recent seasons.

While Arsenal have also had their fair share of flops walk through the door in the last few years, let’s file through the dirt and take a look at Arsenal’s top five signings since Wenger’s emotional farewell.

 


5) Aaron Ramsdale (£25m)


The arrival of Aaron Ramsdale in 2021, off the back of back-to-back drops to the Championship with Sheffield United and Bournemouth, initially drew the ire of a large portion of the fanbase, with many believing the relegation-ridden keeper would not cut it at the top level of English football.

However, the 24-year-old was quick to silence his doubters in Arsenal colours, rapidly displacing Bernd Leno as number one after a plethora of fantastic displays in goal.

A confident and competent stopper who is passionate about the club, the Gunners finally look like they’ve found a long-term solution to their goalkeeping woes of seasons gone by.


 

4) Gabriel Magalhaes (£23.4m)


Signing from Lille in the summer of 2020, Gabriel quickly settled into the Arsenal side following his arrival and has formed a fantastic partnership with Ben White at the heart of Arteta’s defence.

The Brazilian centre half can do a job at both ends of the pitch, being the Premier League’s highest-scoring defender in the 2021/22 season, bagging five goals.

Now with William Saliba in the mix, fans are optimistic that Arsenal can form one of the most formidable defences in the English top-flight.
 

3) Kieran Tierney (£24.3m)


The first signing made by Unai Emery to make this list (and it won’t be the last), Kieran Tierney would likely be higher in our rankings if not for his injury record.


Nevertheless, what a signing the Scot has proved to be.


Since his arrival from boyhood club Celtic in August 2019, Tierney has become a fan favourite amongst Arsenal fans and is known for his tenacity and reliability at the back.


Despite an array of injury problems, when the 25-year-old does make the team sheet, he rarely puts a foot wrong.


Many supporters have the left-back touted as the club’s next club captain, although he may need to resolve his fitness issues if he wants to take the armband on a permanent basis.

 


2) Martin Odegaard (£31.5m + £1.8m loan fee)


After impressing on loan in the 2020/21 campaign, Arteta forked out the cash to bring the Norwegian wonderkid back to the Emirates permanently last summer. 

The Gunners haven’t looked back since.

The former Real Madrid playmaker was excellent last season, becoming the heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield.

Able to both create and score, the new club captain looks set to be in for a remarkable stint at the Emirates, with fans hopeful that Odegaard can become a North London legend.

 


1) Gabriel Martinelli (£6.39m)


We might be jumping the gun a bit here, but there are many reasons why Gabriel Martinelli is the best signing Arsenal have made in the post-Wenger era.

Plucking the talent out of Brazil for a bargain fee in 2019, the move looks to have been a masterstroke from the club’s recruitment team, with Martinelli now widely considered as one of the most promising young wingers in Europe.

Although a long-term injury in 2020 did hamper the Brazilian starlet’s development, Martinelli was able to bounce back, and now looks primed to set the league alight under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

 

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