Arsenal have been one of the surprise teams this Premier League season.
Despite low expectations for their title challenge this season, Arsenal has surprised many by performing well under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. Arteta has successfully instilled his philosophy into the north London side, and the additions made in the last summer and January transfer windows have largely contributed to this success. However, it remains to be seen which players have been the standout signings and which ones have been underwhelming. In this regard, FootballTransfers has evaluated each player that Arsenal has bought this season and assigned a grade to them.
Marquinhos (€3.5m from Sao Paulo) Grade: D
After joining Arsenal, Marquinhos was loaned out to Norwich as Arteta believed he wasn’t ready for first-team action. Despite expectations that he might be on the fringes of the team, he moved to the Championship at the end of the January transfer window. During his time at Norwich, he scored only one goal in 11 matches. However, given his young age of 20, Marquinhos was acquired for a low amount, and there is potential for him to develop further at the Emirates Stadium.
Matt Turner (€6.4m from New England Revolution) Grade: C
Matt Turner was signed by Arsenal after impressing the club’s scouts while playing in the MLS. He was brought in to serve as a backup to Aaron Ramsdale and has made seven appearances for the team this season. While Turner has been a solid addition, he hasn’t been particularly outstanding. However, at the age of 28, he is entering his prime years as a goalkeeper, which could potentially increase his resale value if Arsenal decides to move him on in the future.
Jorginho (€11.3m from Chelsea) Grade: B+
Jorginho was signed by Arsenal after their failed attempt to bring in Moises Caicedo from Brighton during the winter transfer window. The Italian midfielder has improved with each passing week and his performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle was particularly impressive, showcasing his continued ability as a former Napoli player. Jorginho’s strong leadership qualities in the dressing room also bode well for Arsenal’s future.
Leandro Trossard (€24m from Brighton) Grade: B-
Leandro Trossard has proven to be an excellent signing for Arsenal, providing valuable assists and scoring for the team. Despite the low amount paid for him, the Belgian midfielder has been a valuable addition to the squad. He demonstrated his ability by assisting all three of Arsenal’s goals in their win over Fulham, which was his best performance for the club since joining in January. While he has only scored one goal in the 19 games he has played for Arsenal so far, he was brought in with the Premier League title in mind, serving as a short-term solution. Trossard is expected to remain a key member of the team next season as well.
Jakub Kiwior (€24m from Spezia Calcio) Grade: D-
Jakub Kiwior has only played in five matches across all competitions for Arsenal this season, but his limited appearances do not reflect his potential. At just 23 years old, Kiwior has a high ceiling and could become a star player in a few years. While he is currently in a settling period, his performance has not been remarkable. However, given the €24m paid for him, Kiwior’s potential could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Arsenal in the future.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (€35m from Manchester City) Grade: A
Oleksandr Zinchenko appeared to be an understudy player at Manchester City, never really securing a permanent position on the team. However, he has had his best-ever season in the Premier League. Arsenal coach Arteta had previously worked with the Ukrainian international and was aware of his potential. Zinchenko has been one of the best wingbacks in the Premier League this season, and if he continues to perform at this level in the future, the €35m paid by Arsenal would be considered a steal. What was once Manchester City’s loss has now become Arsenal’s gain.
Fabio Vieira (€35m from Porto) Grade: E+
Fabio Vieira still has a lot of potential, but it hasn’t been the best season for the midfielder. Although there is still a lot to come from Vieira, especially given his namesake, his first campaign has fallen short of expectations. He needs to work on bulking up and adapting to the physicality of the Premier League. While he is technically gifted, he also needs to improve his physicality in order to succeed in the league.
Gabriel Jesus (€52.2m from Manchester City) Grade: A-
It was an electrifying start for Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal, but a serious injury halfway through the season hindered his chances of winning the Golden Boot or helping Arsenal win the Premier League. Despite being a costly acquisition, the Gunners believe that Jesus has been worth every penny. At 26 years old, Jesus still has a lot to offer his current team, and it is expected that he will continue to improve and become an even better player in the future.