Arsenal have been heavily criticised in recent years for a lack of big moves in the transfer market.
Perhaps it’s not much of a surprise then, that eight of their top 10 all-time most expensive signings have been completed in the last five seasons.
Let’s take a look:
6. Jose Antonio Reyes – Sevilla, £10.5m (rose to £17m)
Reyes, the frustrating but brilliant young Spaniard who arrived at Highbury in 2004. Relatively unknown outside Spain, Wenger had seen enough in the forward’s ability to splash the cash for him – bolstering his attacking options in the process.
Robin van Persie’s arrival the following year seemed to bring the best out of Reyes, though the 2005/06 campaign was the beginning of the end after claims he was homesick, coupled with his frustration at being a second-half substitute during the Champions League final defeat by Barcelona meant he angled for a move away.
He was eventually sold to Atlético Madrid for £8m, but not before scoring 23 goals and creating 24 more in 109 appearances for the Gunners.