The record-breaking transfer fee of £105 million creates immense pressure for Declan Rice. The new Arsenal signing needs to look at the lesson from Nicolas Pepe, who suffered a disastrous spell despite his record-breaking fee.
Before Arsenal acquired Declan Rice and Kai Havertz this summer, Nicolas Pepe was their most expensive signing in the club's history. However, the Ivorian player struggled to make an impact in the Premier League. Another significant Arsenal signing, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, made a much stronger impression. Let's take a look at the top 10 most expensive signings for the Gunners:
#1 DECLAN RICE (£105 MILLION) The English midfielder is expected to be Arsenal's "new Vieira" by manager Mikel Arteta. Arsenal has long needed a versatile defensive midfielder who can contribute effectively in both defense and attack. Rice has proven his class in his seven seasons at West Ham (245 appearances, 15 goals) and is considered the ideal central midfielder for any top club. However, the £105 million fee comes with enormous expectations and pressure. Declan Rice will face the biggest challenge of his career.
#2 NICOLAS PEPE (£72 MILLION) In the summer of 2019, Nicolas Pepe joined Arsenal for a then-club-record fee of £72 million. The Ivorian player arrived in England after two impressive seasons at Lille, where he scored 37 goals in 80 matches. However, it took him five months to score his first goal for Arsenal in a match against Manchester United. Pepe's individual style, lack of involvement in the team's system, and struggles at Arsenal made him a disappointing signing. The 28-year-old forward recently returned from a loan spell at Nice but is not part of Arteta's plans.
#3 KAI HAVERTZ (£65 MILLION) Kai Havertz had a quiet debut in a friendly match against Nurnberg (1-1) on July 13th. However, the German attacking player remains a highly promising signing for Arsenal. Arteta highly values Havertz's creativity, versatility in playing various positions, and his ability to make an impact. The technical skills of the former Chelsea player align well with Arsenal's style of play. It is hoped that at his new club, Kai Havertz will have more opportunities to shine compared to his time at Chelsea.
#4 PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (£56 MILLION) Speed, technique, and elegance - Aubameyang has brought back shades of the legendary Thierry Henry. After shining at Borussia Dortmund, the Gabonese striker joined Arsenal in early 2018 and immediately showcased his world-class abilities in the toughest league in the world. Aubameyang won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2018/19 season with 22 goals and was voted Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2019/20. In his five seasons at the Emirates Stadium, he has scored 92 goals in 162 matches.
#5 BEN WHITE (£50 MILLION) Ben White faced skepticism upon his arrival at Arsenal in the summer of 2021, with a hefty price tag of £50 million. The English defender had a slow integration into the London club and didn't make a significant impact in his first season. However, in his second season, after being moved to the right flank by Arteta, Ben White performed much better with 46 appearances, 2 goals, and 5 assists. The former Brighton player has become a reliable component of Arsenal's defensive system.
#6 ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (£46.5 MILLION) Lacazette's five seasons at Arsenal have been a mix of bright and dark moments. The French striker has shown his sharp goal-scoring abilities but has also been hindered by injuries. Lacazette's form has been inconsistent, with no season reaching the 20-goal mark in his five seasons at Arsenal (206 appearances, 71 goals). Last season, Lacazette returned to his former club Lyon and regained his form, scoring 31 goals in 39 matches.
#7 GABRIEL JESUS (£45 MILLION) In the summer of 2022, Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City for £45 million. The Brazilian forward quickly adapted to his new environment and became a dynamic attacking threat for Arsenal. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for three months just when he was in great form. However, after his recovery, Jesus regained his top form in the final two months of the season. Jesus' top-class abilities are a vital weapon for Arsenal in their quest for success.
#8 THOMAS PARTEY (£45 MILLION) Thomas Partey arrived at Arsenal in October 2020, providing steel to their midfield, an area where Arsenal has often lacked. Unfortunately, his first season was disrupted by a hip injury. Last season, Partey played a crucial role in Arsenal's midfield but experienced a decline in form towards the end of the season. This is why Arsenal is willing to sell the former Atletico Madrid player this summer if the price is right. Declan Rice's presence also signals an uncertain future for Partey at Arsenal.
#9 MESUT OZIL (£42.5 MILLION) The German midfielder left a significant mark during his eight years at Arsenal, making 254 appearances and scoring 44 goals. Ozil, a talented playmaker known for his finesse, justified why Arsenal paid a club-record fee of £42.5 million to acquire him from Real Madrid in 2013, a record for a German player at that time. Ozil played a crucial role in ending Arsenal's nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup in the 2013/14 season. Unfortunately, Ozil's departure stemmed from a conflict with the club regarding wage issues, resulting in his exclusion from the squad in the 2020/21 season.
#10 GRANIT XHAKA (£35 MILLION) Granit Xhaka had a memorable spell in an Arsenal shirt. The Swiss midfielder joined the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2016 and consistently displayed excellent form. In his seven seasons at Arsenal, Xhaka played over 40 matches in six seasons and 30 matches in one season. Xhaka's strong personality and aggressive playing style were rare assets in Arsenal's lineup. His move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer left a sense of regret among Arsenal fans.
