Ranking every Arsenal first-team signing this summer

I had hoped the list would be longer…

After a summer that promised so much, Arsenal have brought in just five (well, technically four) new faces and hopes that their small-scale activity will be enough to claim an overdue Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta and co. focused on the rearguard again, bringing in two goalkeepers – including David Raya on a permanent deal – along with reinforcement at left-back. Elsewhere, Mikel Merino arrived as the big midfield recruit from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.

Sadly, there is no marquee attacking name to mention and fans might feel aggrieved by the (repeated) failure to address our frontline depth. Raheem Sterling can temporarily fill the void of course, but supporters will be slow to forgive if a recurrence of past issues (e.g. wastefulness in front of goal, overreliance on Saka, Gabriel Jesus injuries) derails the push for silverware.

Arsenal first-team arrivals in summer 2024/25: ranked from worst to best

But Arsenal still conducted some shrewd work, and here is a list of their 2024/25 summer arrivals – ranked from worst to best.   

5. Neto

If ‘unspectacular’ was a transfer target (no offence) … it still beats spending £30m on a backup.

Neto is not the most exciting deal ever, yet it ticks many of the boxes for a second-choice goalkeeper. He's an experienced player, available at no great cost, and (hopefully) someone who will not be called upon too often. He will be happy with a bit-part role.

Furthermore, some regard him as a ‘great character’ and that is probably as important as any trait in a peripheral first-team figure.

Joan Garcia of Espanyol would have been a better purchase (in terms of quality), but he is a rising star who needs game time, and the last thing Arsenal needs is another Ramsdale/Raya situation. Raya is number one, and Neto means the club does not need to waste money on a bench-warming number two.

Maybe not the Neto we expected this summer…    

Continued on next slide...