Arsenal, once known for their cautious spending under Arsène Wenger, have shifted gears in recent years, adopting a more liberal approach to player acquisitions.
This transformation has brought them from mid-table battles to their third consecutive Premier League title race. Unlike Manchester United and Chelsea, whose massive spending hasn’t always translated to success, Arsenal have balanced strategic investments with financial discipline.
While their summer spending for 2024 came in under £100m—a significant drop compared to previous years—Arsenal’s willingness to invest wisely has paid off. In 2023, they spent over £200m, a record amount for the club, with £105m of that securing West Ham captain Declan Rice. The 25-year-old midfielder has quickly justified his price tag, making 63 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals, providing 12 assists, and earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year. Kai Havertz, signed for around £65m, struggled initially but has since become a key player for Mikel Arteta. In 29 games played as a forward, he has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists, showcasing his impact on Arsenal’s front line. Additionally, Jurrien Timber, who joined from Ajax for £38m, impressed during preseason but suffered an ACL injury in the season opener. Despite some minor injuries this year, Timber has shown his versatility across Arsenal’s backline.
Before settling on Timber, Arsenal considered another Dutch defender—Micky van de Ven. According to journalist Christian Falk, Arsenal scouted Van de Ven in early 2023 alongside clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Juventus. However, Van de Ven ultimately joined Arsenal’s North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, for around £43m. Since then, the 23-year-old has become a critical figure for Spurs, with his speed enabling manager Ange Postecoglou to employ a high defensive line. His blistering pace saw him set the Premier League sprint record, making him essential to Tottenham’s defensive setup.
Across his career with FC Volendam, Wolfsburg, and Tottenham, Van de Ven’s stats reflect a steady improvement. His goal involvements per match have increased with each club, now sitting at 0.12 per game for Spurs. However, recurring hamstring injuries have cast a shadow over his progress. Since the 2021/22 season, he has faced four hamstring issues, including one against Manchester City this season. While his pace is an asset, it might also contribute to these recurring injuries.
In the end, Arsenal’s decision to sign Timber may have been the right one. Despite Van de Ven’s talent, his susceptibility to injury could have posed long-term challenges. Meanwhile, Timber’s consistent performance and compatibility with Arteta’s style have reinforced Arsenal’s title ambitions.