Arsene Wenger's most expensive signings

Over the course of his managerial career, Arsene Wenger was responsible for importing some of the Premier League's best players.

Below, we look at his most expensive signings.

Transfer fees via transfermarkt.co.uk, ties sorted by oldest signing first.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (€65.75m)

A world-class centre forward who looked capable of taking Arsenal to the next level, Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang was signed in the January transfer window in 2017, breaking the club's transfer record.

While the Gabon international raced to 50 goals inside two-and-a-half seasons, Aubameyang left under a cloud following a falling out with new manager Mikel Arteta.

Alexandre Lacazette (€53m)

Breaking the club's transfer record six months prior to Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette arrived from France with a considerable reputation having scored 27, 21 and 28 Ligue 1 goals in his previous three seasons.

The transfer to the Premier League wasn't quite as successful, however, with Lacazette leaving after scoring 54 goals in 158 games.

Mesut Ozil (€47m)

After three outstanding seasons with Real Madrid and an impressive showing at the 2014 World Cup, Arsenal pulled off a significant coup in signing Mesut Ozil, breaking their transfer record.

While Ozil peaked with his 19-assist 2015/16 campaign, the German's time at the Emirates coincided with Arsenal falling out of the UEFA Champions League places.

Granit Xhaka (€45m)

While it took time for Granit Xhaka to fully ingratiate himself with the Arsenal fans - infamously being booed off against Crystal Palace in 2019 - the Swiss eventually grew into a key player, starting 36 games in midfield as Arsenal came second behind Manchester City in 2022/23.

Alexis Sanchez (€42.5m)

After a mixed spell with Barcelona, Arsenal parted with a not-inconsiderable sum to sign Alexis Sanchez in 2014.

The Chilean took the Premier League by storm, scoring 24 goals in his third season, before leaving for Manchester United halfway through his fourth season.

Shkodran Mustafi (€41m)

In a successive season with Sampdoria, Shkodran Mustafi earned a first Germany call-up and a move to Valencia. After two years in Spain, Arsenal bolstered their defence with the signing of Mustafi, though he failed to live up to the billing, losing his place in the 2019/20 season, and being released partway through the following campaign.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (€34m)

Despite being signed by Jose Mourinho, Henrikh Mkhitaryan never quite fit in with the Portuguese's plans, being offloaded to Arsenal after 18 months.

The move to London didn't bear much fruit for Mkhitaryan, either, with the Armenian spending 18 months at the Emirates before being shipped out on loan to Roma.

Calum Chambers (€20.23m)

Looking like the latest talent off the Southampton conveyor belt, Calum Chambers moved to Arsenal for around £16m as a 19-year-old.

The switch didn't work out, however, with Chambers being shipped out on loan twice and failing to make more than 14 Premier League appearances after his maiden campaign.

Jose Antonio Reyes (€20m)

Signed as a 20-year-old after impressing with Sevilla, Jose Antonio Reyes quickly made a name for himself in England as a pacey winger with an eye for goal.

Earning a Premier League winners' medal as part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles', Reyes also featured prominently in Arsenal's run to the 2006 UEFA Champions League final before returning to Spain in the summer.

Danny Welbeck (€20m)

After coming through the Manchester United academy, Danny Welbeck's desire to move to Arsenal was a shock to many at the club, but the forward was eager for more game time.

Unfortunately, injuries made that hard to come by, with Welbeck limited to just 88 games in five seasons.