Arsenal have spent big in the past to try and bring further success to the club and they may be primed for some more major moves in the transfer market very soon.
After three consecutive runners-up finishes, Arsenal are expected to spend big this summer to try and finally win the Premier League, with the Gunners among the favourites in the football betting to win the 2025/26 Premier League.
They have not always been able to pay huge fees to improve their squad, but they have made plenty of memorable purchases down the years and splashed the cash when required at times.
With the north London club planning for a major season make sure to explore our list of the best Arsenal strikers of all time, as well as our list of the greatest Arsenal managers ever.
1. Declan Rice from West Ham (July 2023) – £105million
Arsenal’s record signing arrived two years ago from capital rivals West Ham, when the club brought in England midfielder Declan Rice in a deal worth up to £105m.
After leading the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory, Rice made the switch to the Emirates and he has lived up to expectations for the Gunners, scoring 16 goals in 103 appearances so far, while he’s also weighed in with 20 assists.
Rice was named Arsenal’s player of the year last season and sensationally scored two direct free-kicks in the stunning 3-0 home win over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in April.
2. Nicolas Pepe from Lille (August 2019) – £72million
Nicolas Pepe was tipped to take the Premier League by storm when he joined from French side Lille in 2019 for a then-club-record fee of £72million, but he failed to maintain his fine goalscoring form in England.
The forward underwhelmed in his first season, managing just eight goals, and he was eventually loaned to Nice in 2022 before leaving the Gunners for Trabzonspor a year later after his contract was terminated.
3. Kai Havertz from Chelsea (June 2023) – £65million
Germany international Kai Havertz had caught the eye at Chelsea and joined Arsenal for £65million in 2023.
After making a relatively slow start to life at the Emirates in his first season, Havertz has proved his worth as a centre-forward for the Gunners and last season bagged a respectable 15 goals in all competitions.
4. Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad (July 2025) – £56million
Defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi was wanted by Liverpool last summer but opted to stay at Real Sociedad, where he excelled in LaLiga.
A big-money move to Arsenal has raised his profile further and the classy Spain international should fit in perfectly at the Emirates.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund (January 2018) – £56million
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been prolific for Borussia Dortmund and continued that goalscoring form for Arsenal, netting 10 goals in just 13 Premier League games in the second half of the 2018-19 season.
The following year he was outstanding, eventually sharing the Golden Boot with Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with 22 league goals, and he maintained his excellent form with another 22 Premier League goals the next season.
Aubameyang’s time at Arsenal ended disappointingly, though, after some disciplinary problems and he joined Barcelona in February 2022.
6. Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City (July 2022) – £55million
Striker Gabriel Jesus had starred for Manchester City for six years, scoring 95 goals in all competitions and winning the Premier League four times, before he joined Arsenal in summer 2022.
Jesus has not been as devastating at Arsenal, as injuries have affected him badly, although he has still managed 26 goals and 20 assists in a Gunners shirt.
The Brazilian only made six league starts last season and his future at the club looks uncertain.
7. Ben White from Brighton (July 2021) – £50million
Defender Ben White was a surprising big-money addition to Arsenal’s ranks in summer 2021, but he has since proved himself to be one of the best right-backs in Europe.
White missed a large chunk of last season due to a serious knee injury, but he has still racked up 160 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals for the Gunners.
8. Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon (July 2017) – £46.5million
France striker Alexandre Lacazette was one of the big stars in Ligue 1 for Lyon and after he plundered 28 league goals in the 2016-17 season, he made the move to England, joining Arsenal for £46.5million.
Lacazette fared well in his debut campaign at the Emirates, scoring 14 league goals, and followed up with 13 in the top-flight the next season.
However, he only managed four Premier League goals in his final season at the club before returning to Lyon in summer 2022.
9. Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid (October 2020) – £45million
Arsenal paid Thomas Partey’s release clause to lure him from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for £45million and he has been an influential player under Mikel Arteta in recent years.
The midfielder was missed when he sat out a lot of the 2023-24 season due to injury, but he was a regular last season again before being allowed to depart this summer upon the expiry of his contract.
10. Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid (September 2013) – £42.5million
After being a league and cup winner with Real Madrid, Mesut Ozil was a statement purchase by Arsenal in 2013 and the creative midfielder was tipped to become a Premier League star.
Supremely talented, Ozil never quite lived up to expectations in England, though, and during his eight years at Arsenal he scored 44 goals in 254 games, while he also won the FA Cup four times.
