Arteta’s transfer decisions that have made Arsenal title contenders

Robin Bairner

• 1 Oct 2022 15:33 BST
• 4 min read

Following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham on Saturday, there is no doubt that they are serious contenders to win the Premier League title.

The Gunners have coped admirably with the setback they suffered at Manchester United, where they lost by the same scoreline, and have responded with wins either side of the international break.

After goals from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka helped them to a comfortable win against one of their fiercest rivals, they sat four points clear of two-time defending champions Manchester City at the top of the table, albeit having played one additional game.

The turnaround in Arsenal’s fortunes since Arteta took over in December 2019 has been profound and has been underpinned by some smart work in the transfer market.

But what have been the five decision that Arteta has taken in conjunction with technical director Edu that as propelled the London side back to the very top after years in the wilderness?

Keeping Granit Xhaka

Xkaha’s Arsenal career was over when Arteta took the reins of the club in late 2019. Two months earlier, he had infamously told fans to “f*** off” when they jeered him as he was being replaced in a defeat to Crystal Palace. He simply had to be sold in the following January transfer window. Only he wasn’t.

The decision to reinstate the Switzerland international to the Arsenal side was a controversial one but it was also a successful one as he is an integral member of the squad.

Mesut Ozil to Fenerbahce, January 2021

Arteta had been in charge for more than a year when he elected to say goodbye to Mesut Ozil, whose off-field antics ensured he had a sad end to life at the Emirates Stadium. Ozil’s exit, though, signalled the manager’s willingness to cut ties with the ‘old Arsenal’ and was the start of a new era at the club.

Ozil’s exit paved the way for Martin Odegaard to join the club, initially on loan but then permanently, and the Gunners have not looked back.

Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, Jul 2021

When Arsenal spent £25 million to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, the wisdom of the move was questioned. The young goalkeeper had been relegated in each of his previous two Premier League seasons and he was immediately pushed onto the bench by Bernd Leno. But after the German struggled early in the season, in came Ramsdale to provide a huge upgrade.

The England keeper is not only a fine shot-stopper, but his overall attitude and will to win is outstanding. This combination of quality and mentality is something that Arsenal have long missed.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona, January 2022

Quite whether Arsenal would have allowed Aubameyang to depart on transfer deadline day of the January window if he had not got on a plane to Barcelona will never be known. What is certain, though, is that it was another win for the club. In getting rid of their captain, they offloaded another player with a questionable attitude and firmly closed the door on the possibility of a contract extension.

Like Alexandre Lacazette, Aubameyang was a good player for Arsenal, but he was not the great player they needed.

Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, July 2022

While Europe’s giants were licking their wounds as Erling Haaland moved to Manchester City in the summer, Arsenal were working hard to get the man he would replace. Gabriel Jesus suddenly found himself an outcast from Pep Guardiola’s plans and the decision to sign him for £47m may be one of the most important in the Gunners’ recent history.

Gabriel Jesus was not the biggest or best value transfer of the summer, but after scoring five goals and creating three more in eight Premier League games, he may just be the most important.