ARSENAL STRUGGLING TO RAISE BIG NUMBERS, BUT ARE WE ALONE?
This little graphic is another piece of evidence to put in front of people who think Arteta will be finished this season if he doesn’t win it all. Football is about trophies, sure, but it’s also about business. Part of that business is making sure money is well spent and assets are appreciating in value.
Arsenal has the most valuable squad in the Premier League — and the second most valuable in the world. This graph from Sky Sports’ Nick Wright shows not only that our players are worth a lot, but also that most of them are worth more than what we paid for them.
A big chunk of that comes from teenagers we’ve signed or brought through the academy. Arsenal’s coaching setup from top to bottom is a value-creation machine. Arteta is a world-class coach and that number is largely down to his ability to make players better. And it gets even better… Max Dowman isn’t even valued by Transfermarkt yet.
We’re punching above our weight in the transfer market — even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
Sales are starting to roll in and, my word, the fees are not great… but they’re still fees. Real money. Actual moves, not just loans.
The names we’re watching:
Kiwior: £25m
I don’t love the fee. It’s basically what we paid, billed for next summer, and the assumption is we either overpaid or didn’t improve him. Bargain for Porto. I’d heard last year his wife wanted out of London and back to Italy, which is why Palace didn’t land him. Porto aren’t rich, it is what it is.
Reiss: £15m
The worst re-signing of the Arteta era. Injury prone, not really dialed in, always a bit flat. He’s fast, good in one-v-one situations, but never felt fully focused. I still don’t know why we gave him a £100k-a-week deal until 2027. Now Palace will get him for £15m. Bargain for them. Lesson for Arsenal: don’t hand out big deals to Hale Enders who aren’t cutting it.
Fabio: £17m
I’d take a bag of Maltesers. Too small, doesn’t press, and I still don’t understand why we signed a player so unsuited to the league. There’s talent in there, but it won’t be resurrected in the Premier League. Arsenal want £25m, no chance. Write him off, take the tax break.
Sambi: £5m
Trabzonspor are circling. In the animal kingdom, this is the scavenger eating at the carcass last. Fee is low, wages are low. Never hit the level despite Kompany’s promises. We wanted a 6, he turned out to be an 8… not a good one. The clips from that Amazon doc probably didn’t help his brand. Another big write-off.
Zinchenko: £10m
I think I’m being generous. Bad calf, horrible injury record. But he’s a top player, a winner, genius on the ball. Can’t believe he’s still here. He’d upgrade most Premier League midfields, but wages are a massive problem… plus his family have a taste for London life. His salary wasn’t an Arsenal mistake — it was the cost of progress. He helped drag this team to three 2nd-place finishes and back into the Champions League. Massive part of the mentality shift.
Martinelli: £65m
He’s surplus now. Big wages, at least two players ahead of him with Eze and Trossard tied down. You can’t afford £170k-a-week sitting on the bench for Liverpool away. I love him, but Arsenal adding an overlapping left-back feels like the end. Saudi? Maybe. Atletico Madrid? Feels perfect.
Gabriel Jesus: £20m
Horrible injury record, never fit, but still a gem of a player. Brazil clubs were sniffing. Can play across the front three, offers unlocks off the bench. But it’d take a brave club to take on the loan fee and the wages. Might stick around as a Martinelli cover if Gabi leaves. No future here though. That comes down to two things: goals and availability. TWO things. OK, stop correcting me before you finish the paragraph.
Miserable selling. But tell me — which Premier League club outside Chelsea is shifting deadwood for big fees? None. Liverpool got £15m for Kelleher, who was one of the league’s best keepers last season. Villa have sold two players. United haven’t shifted anyone yet (maybe Garnacho). Spurs have only brought in £25m. Chelsea are the only club flogging nobodies for silly money — and those numbers feel cooked up by friendly journos.
The market is warped. Big-money buys that flop lose 75% of their value. Smaller buys at best retain value. It’s a buyer’s market because big clubs have been hoarding players, and the smaller clubs are feasting.
Ok, that’s my hot takes. Therapy this week is MEMBERS. Get on it now — and make sure you’re signed up. x
Podcast## THERAPY SESSION | SALES MOVING, FINALLY. BUT ARE THEY GOOD? (MEMBERS)
Pedro
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THERAPY SESSION | SALES MOVING, FINALLY. BUT ARE THEY GOOD? (MEMBERS)
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