Review of Summer Signings

As we got closer to 'Transfer Deadline Day' we thought that the Arsenal board would not be investing much more to try and strengthen the squad after selling key figures such as Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy. However as we reached the transfer deadline Arsenal had managed to bag 3 players and then just as the clock struck 11pm last night which meant the transfers had to have been completed, Arsenal finalised a deal for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta, much to the relief of Arsenal fans around the world, as we made 4 signings on the day of the window closing. Not forgetting that we also signed 5 players before all the fuss started. Could this spray of quality signings for little money come because of the 8-2 loss to United at the weekend? Yes partly and because we desperately needed to strengthen our defence and midfield. It is also rumoured that the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger got involved with the transfers to make sure they went ahead before the deadline.

Here is a list of all our summer signings and the fee which we bought them for:

Ryo Miyaichi: The Japenese wideman was officially welcomed to the club in the summer, after spending half the season on loan at Feyenoord last season after he had signed for Arsenal in January. Playing 12 times and scoring 3 goals in the Dutch league for Feyenood meant Ryo went straight into Arsene Wenger's first XI. He featured in every away pre season game but did not feature in the Emirates cup due to not being given a work permit to play in England yet. The work permit was soon granted and Miyaichi has been a sub in every Arsenal game so far this season. Ryo will wear the number 31 shirt.
Fee: Free Transfer from Chukyodai Chukyo High School 


Carl Jenkinson: The English born Finnish full back came to the club as Arsenals first proper signing of the transfer window. Jenkinson was playing on loan from Charlton at non league club Welling United last season for half of last season. However the young defender has not had the greatest of starts at the club scoring an own goal in the friendly win over Cologne and being sent off in the Gunners 8-2 loss to Manchester United. Jenkinson will wear the shirt formally worn by Emmanuel Adebayor, number 25.
Fee: £1million from Charlton Athletic

Gervinho: Gervinho became Arsenal's first big signing of the summer as the Ivorian forward signed from french league champions Lille. Gervinho who is a major part of the Ivory Coast nation team has had a decent start for Arsenal scoring 2 on his debut in a friendly against German side Cologne and being one of Arsenal's star men in the 2-1 win over Udinese in Italy to qualify for the Champions League. However the Ivorian's first game saw him seeing red for a slap on Newcastle's Joey Barton. Gervinho will wear the number left by Eboue following his departure to Galatasaray, number 27.
Fee: £10.5million from Lille

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: The young Englishman was Arsenal's most expensive signing of the summer and joining the club from newly promoted Southampton. Alex was a key part of that Southampton side last season playing 36 times and scoring 9 goals for the Saints as they won promotion to the Championship. Oxlade-Chamberlain has played only once so far coming on as a substitute against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He will wear the number 15 shirt.
Fee: £12million from Southampton

Joel Campbell: The young Costa Rican striker was signed from Saprissa in his home-land where he featured just 3 times at senior level. However he has played for the Costa Rican U20's 13 times having scored 10 goals. He has played only 6 times for the full national side which meant Campbell was not granted a work permit to play in England yet. Therefore he was loaned out to French club Lorient.
Fee: Undiscloed from Saprissa.

Park Chu Young: The Gunners new number 9 was signed up as cover for Marouane Chamakh who will be playing the Africa Cup of Nations in January and for Bendtner as he has gone out on loan. Park is thought to feature more than Chamakh. The Korean striker is experienced and is the captain of the South Korea side. However Park will only be able to play for 2 and a half years at the club due to him having to go back to Korea to do military service, unless he is excused from it by doing well with the national side or Arsenal.
Fee: £5million from Monaco

Andre Santos: The first signing of transfer deadline day Andre Santos who is a full back has come into the side as a much needed replacement for Gael Clichy. Santos is known for having some tricks in his locker and can also produce the odd goal from distance scoring a goal nearly every 5 games for his ex club Fenerbahce. The Turkish club which he signed from has been in trouble recently after being thrown out of the Champions League for match fixing and are also facing relegation to the Turkish fourth division so it was no suprise that the player was looking for a move away. Santos has played 22 times for Brazil and will wear the number 11 shirt.
Fee: £6.5million from Fenerbahce

Per Mertesacker: The giant German defender has been brought into the side to strengthen a shaky defence with Vermaelen being the only decent centre half in recent years. Per has played a key part in the national side recently having 75 caps to his name and 147 appearances for previous club Werder Bremen. At 6ft 6 Mertesacker is now one of the tallest players in the Premier League and is to bring experience to an unexperienced back four as being the captain of Werder Bremen. Per will wear the number 4 shirt, previously left behind by fan favourite Cesc Fabregas.
Fee: £9million from Werder Bremen. 

Yossi Benayoun: The Israelian attacking midfielder has signed on a season long loan deal from London rivals Chelsea. Yossi will bring much needed Premier League experience to Arsenal having played for West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea in the English top flight. Benayoun has played 83 times for his national side Isreal, but has only started 8 times for his parent club Chelsea after signing from Liverpool in 2010. Benayoun will wear the number 30 shirt.
Fee: Season Long loan from Chelsea

Mikel Arteta: The Spanish playmaker was snapped up by Arsenal at the very last minute on transfer deadline day as he joined the Gunners looking for Champions League football. Along with Benayoun, Arteta will bring Premier League experience to the club having played 161 times in the league for Everton. On a crazy day for Arsenal Arteta handed in a transfer request to help him seal the deal to go to the Emirates and even took a pay cut to join the North London club. Arteta has choosen his squad number and it will be Samir Nasri's old number of 8.
Fee: £10million from Everton

Arsenal's summer spending has come to a huge total compared to recent years as we splashed out £54million to bring in players to strengthen the squad which signals an intention to get the club back up and running again. For Arsenal the season starts again after the international break in a weeks time as we face newly promoted Swansea looking for our first Premier League win of the season.