While the signings made by The Gunners were questioned at first, things are starting to take shape now. All the signings are making more and more sense in one form or the other. Initially, Arsenal fans were disappointed by the prices the club paid for the new players, the tables have now turned, and the fans love the new signings like anything. Each of them has already started showing glimpses of how capable they are. From Martin Odegaard to Aaron Ramsdale, in this article, we will be rating all the signings Arsenal made this summer.
#6 Nuno Tavares
Arsenal’s first signing of this season came in the form of Nuno Tavares. The Portuguese left-back was signed from Benfica for a fee of 8m. The main objective of signing Tavares was that the club needed a backup left-back for Kieran Tierney. Last season, Tierney was ruled out with an injury that kept him out for 2 months, during this period Arsenal were forced to play Granit Xhaka as the left-back as they did not have any other player in that position.
Now that Tavares is here, he is a good backup for Tierney and can even start at times. Nuno has already shown some good displays as he got himself a Man Of The Match award against AFC Wimbledon, his performances so far rank him 6th as we look at rating all the signings Arsenal made this summer.
#5 Albert Sambi Lokonga
At the age of just 21, Sambi Lokonga is already among one of the most promising and talented players in this Arsenal squad. While there is no doubt that he is fantastic on the pitch, a thing that is very interesting about Sambi is that he was the captain of his former club, Anderlecht, at such a young age. He is signed by the club to increase the depth in the midfield, as there were many departures in that area this summer.
Lokonga has looked very solid on the ball and will play a crucial role in the next three months as Xhaka is ruled out due to a knee injury. He will be partnering up with Thomas Partey in the heart of the midfield and will be pulling the strings along the Ghanian.
#4 Ben White
The club’s most expensive signing of this transfer window came in the form of Ben White. The 23 year-old centre back was signed by Arsenal as a replacement to David Luiz who departed from the club this summer as he ran out of contract. Mikel Arteta was looking for a player with similar attributes as Luiz, it was clear that he wanted a defender who could play from the back when he signed White.
While he missed two important games in Chelsea and City due to Covid, Ben White has been phenomenal ever since. His partnership with Gabriel has been rock solid as the duo have kept two clean sheets in three games.
#3 Martin Odegaard
After spending the second half of the previous season at Arsenal, Martin Odegaard put pen to paper and decided to permanently sign for the London based club. The Gunners were very clear since the beginning that their first priority was to sign Odegaard, and they finally acquired his services for a fee of 35m. Arsenal severely suffered in attack last season as they did not have an attacking midfielder, thus they decided to sign Martin this season.
Norwich International is already a popular figure among Arsenal fans due to his fabulous performances against many top sides in Arsenal colours. Martin is also a capable leader and will be vital for the Gunners in the future as they gun for glory.
#2 Aaron Ramsdale
A lot of eyebrows were raised and banters were made when Arsenal completed the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United for a fee of 24m. Arsenal already had a great number 1 in Bernd Leno, but they had a vacant spot for the backup goalkeeper, and Leno’s contract expires next summer as well. While there were many alternative options in the market, Mikel Arteta remained adamant and signed Aaron Ramsdale.
Without even playing a single game, many had already written Ramsdale off. A week later, Ramsdale is easily the most likeable Arsenal player right now. Apart from his world-class displays, his determination, passion and dedication are what have made him the perfect goalkeeper for the present and the future for Arsenal.
#1 Takehiro Tomiyasu
Safe to say, Arsenal have signed an absolute gem of a player in Takehiro Tomiyasu. Before Arsenal signed him, Tottenham had scouted him but ended up signing Emerson Royal, losing to the Gunners off the field as well. While one door closed as Hector Bellerin left, another opened in the form of Takehiro. This signing came out of nowhere, no reports as well, just hours before the transfer deadline shut down, Tomiyasu was a Gunner.
So far, he has been in top-notch form as he has been consistent throughout. A man of the match performance in the North London Derby should be enough to know how capable he is as he pocketed the likes of Son and Kane as he takes the top rank in rating all the signings Arsenal made this summer as well.
