Gyokeres-Arsenal
When Edu Gaspar left Arsenal behind and they welcomed Andrea Berta as his replacement, fans rejoiced.
Truthfully, Edu had not performed miracles in north London. The Gunners were improving on the field, but off it, they were going backwards. For years, the Brazilian technical director had been criticised for his inability to bring elite talent to the club.
Edu Gaspar Arsenal-1
He did play a crucial part in the Declan Rice signing for the Kroenkes to take Arsenal to the next level, change was required.
Berta, however, has not been perfect either. The Viktor Gyokeres saga of a year ago tells you all you need to know, but he isn't the worst signing of the lot.
How the Gyokeres saga played out at Arsenal
A year ago Arsenal really needed to sign a new centre-forward. It was the big issue identified by every pundit and fan in the country. Berta and Mikel Arteta agreed.
Initially, it looked as though Benjamin Sesko was the chosen man. Still at RB Leipzig at the time, plenty of conversations had been held with the German side and the player's camp about bringing him to the Emirates.
Benjamin-Sesko
Yet, we all know how Berta likes to spin various plates at one time. The Italian's strategy is to negotiate a deal to the verge of completion before waiting and then pulling the trigger once he's worked out who is the best value for money. It's a strategy that cost them Morgan Rogers this summer.
Yet, a year ago, it also cost them Sesko. Berta was discussing a deal for Gyokeres at the same time and it was the Swede who they ultimately opted for.
He cost £63m while the big Slovenian centre-forward eventually ended up moving to Manchester United later that summer to the tune of £73.5m. As we said, the former was better value.
Why Gyokeres has become second choice in the space of a year
With 21 goals last term, finishing a title-winning campaign as Arsenal's top scorer, he has not been a terrible acquisition.
However, the fact that the Gunners were seemingly willing to replace him just one year on speaks volumes. They were not satisfied with his services, an elite striker, someone who's done it in Europe's big leagues before is what Arteta craved.
Over the summer, Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid was targeted with aggressive intent but the Spanish side were ultimately able to keep him in the capital, primarily as the player was denied his dream move to Barcelona.
To rub further salt into the wounds, Kai Havertz - the scorer of three goals in four games this term - has been preferred to Gyokeres in the early knockings of the season. In fact, the former Sporting and Coventry man has been so out of the picture that he's only played 12 minutes in the Premier League. Arteta clearly doesn't trust him.
Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Why? Well, hiis first touch is sloppy, his hold-up play leaves plenty to be desired and he finds it difficult to link up with teammates. Havertz, by comparison, knits everything together, he works incredibly hard. He is the man for the big moment, starting the Carabao and Champions League finals last term.
Still, despite being bumped down the pecking order, Gyokeres was not the worst signing a year ago.
Who trumps Gyokeres as Berta's worst signing?
On paper, the summer transfer window of 2025 was an impressive one but it would only be defined as a success if the Gunners won the Premier League. They did just that. Berta should be cut some slack as a result.
Arsenal's transfer window in the summer of 2025
However, if you look at the list of arrivals, no one on that list is now a regular starter. Eberechi Eze has not started once this season, nor have Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke or Piero Hincapie.
Cristian Mosquera has played with William Saliba on the sidelines while Christian Norgaard isn't even at the club anymore, joining Everton. Madueke did start the Community Shield but has rarely been seen since, for good reason too.
Of all of those signings a year ago, Madueke's is still the most perplexing. Arsenal have a pretty drab history of signing players from Chelsea. In fact, this summer was the first time in five years they've not raided their London rivals.
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Arsenal's recruitment from Chelsea
Season
2019/20
2020/21
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
2025/26
It's an unwelcome trend and while some players have been more successful than others - Jorginho and Havertz have both played their part - too many have been duds; we're looking at you Raheem Sterling and Willian.
Well, with Madueke, Berta has found another Sterling and Willian. Unlike Havertz, this former Chelsea man has simply failed to really ever make an impact.
Just over a year ago, the decision was made to sign a back-up to Bukayo Saka. After a nasty hamstring injury, that was a necessity, but to sign a player like Madueke is not what supporters were hoping for.
Noni-Madueke-Arsenal
Since arriving in north London, he has struggled for any form or rhythm. In 43 matches last season, the 24-year-old scored just eight goals and registered four assists.
It must be said that the winger does possess some exciting qualities. He's a maverick, he's unpredictable; he will open up opportunities. However, for a title-winning side, his output is simply far too low. The England international only scored three times in the Premier League during 2025/26.
Gyokeres played his part quite regularly last term but Madueke did not. It left a sour taste in the mouths of supporters that this inconsistent Willian-like signing was taking the minutes of more promising players in the shape of Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman.
A season prior, the former had found the net on nine occasions as a teenager. For context, Madueke has only topped that tally once in his career; 2024/25 when he scored ten for Chelsea.
Living up to Saka's performance is never going to be easy but the £52m signing just lacks fight. More worryingly, he lacks the quality. Really, he should have been the wide player to leave this summer, not Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
Leandro-Trossard-Arsenal