Arsenal have enjoyed the second half of 2023 as they cemented themselves as title contenders at the top of the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side were beaten to silverware by Manchester City last season but they are back competing at the summit of the table once again this campaign.
Arteta has spent a lot of money in the last yearAFP
And a lot of the Gunners’ success has come down to how they have bolstered their squad in the transfer windows this year.
They have spent over £250million on signings in 2023 and talkSPORT.com has taken a look at the five most expensive arrivals…
Leandro Trossard – £20.5million
Trossard was Arsenal’s first signing of 2023 as he joined the club from Brighton in the January window.
The Belgian was signed for just over £20million as the Gunners looked to bolster their attacking options for their title challenge.
He signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Emirates and helped to add Premier League-proven talent to an already talented squad.
Following his move, Trossard provided 10 assists in 20 games in his first season as an Arsenal player.
He has become a key Man, whether that be starting or off the bench, for Arteta’s side as he competes with Gabriel Martinelli for a place on the left wing.
Trossard has become a key member of Arsenal’s squadJakub Kiwior – £21.4million
A couple of days later, Jakub Kiwior followed Trossard through the door after signing for £21million from Italian side Spezia.
He was another player who was brought to the Emirates to bolster Arteta’s squad as they competed for the Premier League title.
The 23-year-old provided back-up to William Saliba and Gabriel at centre-back before having to start the final few games of the campaign.
Kiwior has gone on to play a bit-part role for Arsenal, featuring 18 times in all competitions across the year.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was also signed in the same window at the start of the year for just under £10million.
Arsenal would go on to miss out on the Premier League title, prompting an influx of big-money signings in the summer transfer window.
One of those signings was Jurrien Timber who joined the Gunners from Ajax in July.
Arteta had been trying to sign the versatile all window, seeing offers rejected before talks finally progressed forward and the move was completed.
He then made his long-awaited debut in the first game of this season, however, disaster struck as he picked up an ACL injury.
That injury has kept him sidelined ever since and he won’t be fit to make another appearance for the club until 2024.
The first summer signing of 2023 was Kai Havertz who made the switch from Chelsea to their London rivals.
The German became Arteta’s most expensive signing as Gunners boss at the time, with his £65million price tag raising questions.
He had failed to truly get his Chelsea career off the ground before making the switch and that led to doubts over whether the money was worth it.
Havertz has also struggled at the start of his Arsenal career, however, as we come towards the end of 2023, things are looking up.
His performances are improving and he is finding himself a place in Arteta’s squad, playing in a deeper role at times alongside captain Martin Odegaard.
The final signing of 2023 was goalkeeper David Raya who joined the club on loan from Brentford with an option to buy for £27million.
However, Arsenal’s biggest signing of 2023 was, of course, Rice.
The midfielder signed for the Gunners from West Ham for a British record fee of £105million.
He was Arteta’s main target for the summer window and after a long back-and-forth sage with the Hammers, a deal was finally struck.
And the England international became the club’s star signing, instantly improving their midfield and providing a World-class anchor.
Rice has already made a huge impact and has the Gunners looking stronger than ever as they aim to mount another Premier League title challenge.
