In a show of renewed ambition and shrewd transfer activity, Arsenal have stamped their authority on the Premier League’s elite, as the club now boasts seven first team players on the list of the top 20 Most Valuable Players.
With an array of high-profile signings and a strategic approach to squad-building, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta seems determined to lead the Gunners back to the pinnacle of English football, signaling their ambition to compete at the highest level in the upcoming season.
As the summer transfer window kicks off, Arsenal has emerged as the center of attention with their ambitious signings and a clear statement of intent. Not content with settling for second place behind Manchester City last season, Arteta has wasted no time reinforcing his squad with some major acquisitions.
Among the notable additions are Kai Havertz from Chelsea, Declan Rice from West Ham United and Jurrien Timber from Ajax. These moves have propelled Arsenal to boast an impressive count of seven out of the Premier League’s twenty most valuable players, according to CIES Football Observatory’s transfer value list.
.The ranking is determined based on a variety of factors, including contract length, player ability, age, nationality, and club affiliation. In contrast, Manchester City has five representatives in the top twenty, with Erling Haaland, the league’s most expensive player, leading the charge. Liverpool follows closely with three players, while Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham each have two, and only one for each team in Arsenal’s case.
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Although Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the only players in the top ten, the club’s overall strength is evident as they have five players in the 11th to 20th positions, including the recent signings Havertz and Rice.
Bukayo Saka is the second Most Valuable Player in the Premier League behind Erling Haaland (Image credit: Getty Images)
One noteworthy aspect is the disparity in valuation between Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. Despite Rice’s record-breaking £105 million move from West Ham United, CIES values him at just over £67 million, whereas Havertz, secured for up to £66 million from Chelsea, commands a higher valuation.
Arsenal’s summer spending spree, amounting to a staggering £594 million under Arteta’s rebuilding vision, has been pivotal in assembling a strong squad, with five of the top eight most valuable players now donning the Gunners’ colors. Additionally, Gabriel ranks as the 23rd most valuable player in the league.
While these signings have raised expectations and fueled talk of Arsenal’s potential to challenge Manchester City for the title, critics argue that player age remains a crucial factor. Notably, all the Gunners’ top 25 players were born in 1997 or later, indicating they have yet to reach their peak performance levels.
Jurrien Timber’s arrival is expected to fortify Arsenal’s defense and complement their already impressive attacking lineup. The CIES valuation of over £51 million suggests Arsenal may have secured a high-quality center-back at a relatively reasonable price due to Ajax’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
However, success in the Premier League requires more than just a formidable starting eleven. As evidenced by Manchester City’s ability to bring world-class players off the bench during crucial moments, depth in quality is a vital aspect Arsenal must strive to achieve.
In the midst of the ongoing summer transfer activities, Mikel Arteta’s pursuit of strengthening the squad shows that Arsenal is fully aware of the requirements to build on last season’s title push. With the window still open, Arsenal could solidify their standing as genuine title contenders for the upcoming season.
ARSENAL’S TOP 10 RANKING PLAYERS:
1. Bukayo Saka (2nd) £170m
2. Gabriel Martinelli (4th) £153m
3. Martin Odegaard (13th) £68m
4. Kai Havertz (15th) £68m
5. Gabriel Jesus (18th) £68m
6. Declan Rice (19th) £68m
7. Ramsdale (20th) £51m
8. William Saliba (24th) £51m
9. Gabriel Magalhães (25th) £51m
10. Jurrien Timber (47th) £42m
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