Arsenal: 3 biggest transfer mistakes in recent years

Arsenal have made plenty of errors in the transfer market in recent years. Here are the biggest three, some of which are still costing the club today.

Arsenal have not been the best in the transfer window in recent years. They are not known for their efficient spending, have mishandled almost every situation, and have only recently come to terms with finding value, both in the players they sell and those that they buy.

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So, with that in mind, here are three biggest mistakes the Gunners have made in the transfer window in recent years.

3. Signing Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi

It was the summer of 2016. Arsenal had the makings of a solid team but ultimately fell short of the title they year prior. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were still shining, but they needed defensive help, especially in midfield and centre-back.

The Gunners spent £70 million on what was meant to be the solution to both problems: Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka. In reality, neither has lived up to their expectations. Xhaka has played well in spurts, but his lack of athleticism is problematic and he has never been able defensively. Mustafi, meanwhile, has all the tools to be an elite centre-back but has never fulfilled his promise. His mistakes are criminal and his form has fluctuated massively.

Had Arsenal found an elite defensive midfielder and centre-half to pair with Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla and Laurent Koscielny, they could have genuinely mounted a title challenge, assuming Ozil and Alexis continued their super form. It is not a coincidence that Arsenal have not finished in the top four since Mustafi and Xhaka arrived.