Top 10 Most Expensive Midfielders In The History Of Arsenal

August 28, 2024

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The rankings for the most expensive midfielders in the history of Arsenal have been shared and it includes some fascinating names.

Doling out huge sums to sign players appeared outlandish to the Gunners in years past, as the Emirates Stadium side were known for being laid back in the transfer market.

It looks like that is now a thing of the past, as Arsenal are now part of the teams that splash the cash to sign players, particularly in the midfield department.

Lucas Torreira occupies the basement spot of the top 10 most expensive midfielders in the history of Arsenal and he joined the side from Sampdoria in the summer of 2018 for a fee of €28.7 million.

Torreira made 89 appearances for the North London side, scoring 4 goals and 6 assists in all competitions.

Lucas Torreira exited Arsenal in the summer of 2022 to join Galatasaray, having failed to cut it at the club.

Mikel Merino Makes It To The List

2024 summer signing Mikel Merino becomes the latest addition to the list, having officially joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad on August 27, 2024, for a fee of €32 million.

Merino is yet to make any first-team appearance for the Gunners, but fans are hoping that the Spaniard will do great things in England.

Above Mikel Merino, Henrikh Mkhitaryan makes his appearance on the list in 8th position, as he joined Arsenal in a swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez in 2018.

The Gunners also parted with €34 million to secure the services of the Armenian footballer. He made 59 appearances for the North London side, scoring 9 and providing 13 assists in all competitions.

Mkhitaryan left Arsenal in 2020 to join AS Roma on a permanent deal after his contract with the Emirates Stadium side was canceled by mutual consent.

Fabio Vieira is placed 7th on the rankings, with the Portuguese signing for the Gunners from FC Porto on July 1, 2022, for a fee of €35 million.

He has made 49 appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals and providing 9 assists in all competitions.

Vieira has failed to claim a consistent shirt at Mikel Arteta’s side, as other players have been favored over him.

The midfielder has returned to FC Porto on loan this summer and he will be hoping to accentuate his brilliance at the club.

Captain Martin Odegaard Is Amongst The Most Expensive Midfielders In The History Of Arsenal

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is also present in the list of the most expensive midfielders in the history of Arsenal.

Odegaard permanently joined Mike Arteta’s side in August 2021 after an initial 6 months loan deal.

The Gunners acquired him from Real Madrid for a fee of €35 million and he has made 155 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals and providing 25 assists in all competitions.

Erstwhile captain Granit Xhaka, who currently plies his trade with Bayer Leverkusen, having joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2023 is 5th on the rankings.

Xhaka was sold to the Gunners in 2016 by Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of €45 million.

Granit Xhaka made 297 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals and providing 29 assists across all competitions.

Mesut Ozil Sits 4th On The Log

Mesut Ozil is placed in 4th position, having joined the club in 2013 from Real Madrid, for a then club-record fee of €47 million.

The retired German footballer, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders and playmakers of his generation, made 254 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals and providing 75 assists in all competitions.

Thomas Partey, who joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a fee of €50 million, is ranked 3rd.

The Ghana international has made 117 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists across all competitions.

Interestingly, two additions made during the summer of 2023, are the top 2 most expensive midfielders in the history of the North London side.

Kai Havertz, who joined the Gunners from Premier League rivals Chelsea for a fee of €75 million, sits 2nd, and he has made 53 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals and providing 8 assists in all competitions.

Declan Rice Is The Most Expensive Midfielder In The History Of Arsenal

Declan Rice leads the rankings, with his name being on the list due to his move to Arsenal from West Ham United for a club-record fee of €116.6 million.

Rice has been stellar for the Gunners since he joined the club in 2023, making 53 appearances for the side, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists in all competitions.