Mikel Arteta: 5 Players Arsenal Boss Signed in 2021 and How They Are Faring, Including Odegaard

• Mikel Arteta had successive eighth-place finishes in his first two Premier League seasons
• He was backed with a record-breaking single-window transfer budget of £160m in the summer of 2021
• He signed five players, including goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale and defender, Ben White

Mikel Arteta enjoyed a record-breaking single-window transfer budget at Arsenal in the summer of 2021 after successive eighth-place finishes in the Premier League.

He landed five players for a combined fee of £160m, including goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United and he also made the loan deal for Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid permanent.

Sports Brief looks at how those five signings are faring as the Gunners prepare for another summer surge after missing out on the title to Manchester City, as first analysed by Mirror UK.

1. Aaron Ramsdale

The Athletic claimed that Arteta splashed £30m, including add-ons, on the English goalkeeper, who had three relegations on his CV before age 25, including two from the PL with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

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He has displaced former number 1 Bernd Leno and took over the number 1 shirt, and was instrumental to the title chase last year, keeping 14 clean sheets.

2. Ben White

Arsenal paid £50m to secure the services of versatile English defender, Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion after weeks of transfer tussle and speculations.

He played in the heart of defence in his first season alongside Brazilian centre-half, Gabriel Magalhaes. He was deployed as a right-back last season and fared well.

3. Martin Odegaard

According to Sky Sports, Arteta sanctioned a £34m deal, including bonuses, to bring Odegaard to the Emirates Stadium permanently from Real Madrid. He had spent the previous six months on loan.

The Norwegian has stepped up into his responsibility and he captained the side last year during their title pursuit, scoring 15 league goals from midfield.

4. Nuno Tavares

BBC Sport reports that the Gunners paid £8m for Portugal U-21 defender, Nuno Tavares from Benfica. After an error-strewn first season, he was sent out on a season-long loan to Olympique Marseille.

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5. Albert Sambi Lokonga

Belgian midfielder, Albert Sambi Lokonga moved to London from Anderlecht for £18 in the summer of 2021. He was a bit-part player until he was sent out on loan to Crystal Palace in January, helping the club avoid relegation last season.

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The Chelsea star, who is reportedly close to joining Arsenal in a deal worth £67.5 million, claimed that his best position is between a number 10 and a number 9.