Arsenal's record £282 million net summer 2025 spending spree delivered the club's first top-flight title since 2004, but a year on, most of those signings are still waiting to be judged a success.
The outlay, the highest in the Premier League and the most Arsenal had ever spent in a single window, was masterminded by sporting director Andrea Berta in his first summer at the helm. Manager Mikel Arteta delivered the title and also guided the club to the Champions League final, where they lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
Gyokeres tops scoring charts but struggles continue
Arteta had initially favoured RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, now at Manchester United, while Berta wanted Viktor Gyokeres. The Sweden international had scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting CP, and Berta's influence proved decisive in convincing him to choose Arsenal over United, managed by his former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Gyokeres finished his debut campaign as the club's top goalscorer with 21 goals in all competitions, but around two months into his second season he is yet to find the target and has only just received his first Premier League start of the campaign, in the 2-0 win over Everton. He remains behind Kai Havertz, who started the Champions League final ahead of him and is still the first-choice No.9.
The club pushed hard for Julian Alvarez in the summer, and had that deal been done, they would likely have listened to offers for the Sweden international.
Eze and Madueke show flashes
Eberechi Eze was a huge success in his debut season, scoring five goals against Tottenham, the club that came close to signing him before an eleventh-hour hijack. He also scored important strikes against Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle, but has struggled in his second season.
Eze stretched Arsenal to their financial limits, with the deal made possible after he personally called Arteta. He has been much-improved in recent matches, scoring against Lille and Bayern Munich, but could return to the bench when Christos Tzolis is back fit.
Noni Madueke arrived from Chelsea as Bukayo Saka's understudy, with his versatility and ability to play on the left appreciated. He has continued to blow hot and cold despite scoring the winner in the 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, and is yet to live up to his £52 million price tag.
Zubimendi's fortunes turn
Martin Zubimendi, whose deal framework was agreed before Berta's arrival, made 57 appearances last season but burnt out in May. He is now fourth in the midfield pecking order behind Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and did not start the Champions League final.
Zubimendi was injured in the cool-down after the 2-1 win over Leeds with an ankle problem, and moments after coming on against Everton his nose was bloodied following a whack in the face.
Cristhian Mosquera has not started since injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa, with Ezri Konsa thriving in his place in the absence of William Saliba. Back-up goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is an adequate No.2 but is not fully trusted by supporters after his error in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
Christian Norgaard has already left for Everton, while Piero Hincapie, an initial loan arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, has endured ankle and groin problems though he is considered a key player.
Seven of Arsenal's eight 2025 summer signings are yet to live up to their billing. Their key contributions to last season's title mean they will never truly be considered failures, but the jury is still out on all of them. Arteta's job is to squeeze more out of those individuals, and their fortunes could dictate how Berta is viewed moving forward and whether he is trusted to continue spending big.
