Arsenal's deadline day signings ranked from 23-1 after Real Madrid ace and Chelsea flop signed

Mikel Arteta and Piero Hincapie were both deadline day additions for Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

We are into the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window and Arsenal could yet do further business before the day is out. If they are able to clinch a deal for Julian Alvarez, it wouldn't be the first time they have left it late.

The Premier League holders inked an eleventh-hour deal this time last year, while also spending big in the earlier part of the window. This time around, they have already spent the best part of £200m, with Bruno Guimaraes the most expensive addition.

When long-serving manager Arsene Wenger was at the helm, the club weren't averse to splashing the cash late on. It's a pattern which has been continued under Mikel Arteta, though not all of the Spaniard's signings have been the most extravagant.

READ MORE: Follow our live updates on transfer deadline day as Arsenal explore incomings and outgoings!

Which have worked and which have not, though? We've ranked Arsenal's 23 summer and winter deadline day signings - leaving out those signed initially with the academy in mind - with some doing far better than others.

Stopgap loan after Vito Mannone was sold. Didn't play a single minute, with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski ahead of him in the queue.

The initial loan was followed by a permanent move in the summer on a free transfer. Played 4,000 minutes in four-and-a-half years as Arsenal quickly upgraded in his position.

A calculated gamble which didn't pay off. Sterling scored once in 28 games and remained frozen out by Chelsea upon his return.

Raheem Sterling was unable to earn a permanent move to Arsenal after a year on loan(Image: Getty Images)

Arrived injured and managed just four appearances. However, one of these saw him score a shoot-out penalty to help Arsenal reach the FA Cup final.

Became a bit of a laughing stock among fans for his less-than-brilliant defensive ability. However, Santos did score an important goal to help Arsenal pip Tottenham to a Champions League place in 2012.

Barely had time to do anything before being moved on. Arsenal more than doubled their money when they sold him to Portsmouth, who themselves quickly cashed in by selling him to Real Madrid.

Arrived in a loan swap which saw Jose Antonio Reyes head to the Bernabeu. Underwhelmed in the league but bagged four goals in a League Cup win over Liverpool.

Julio Baptista's antics against Liverpool will live long in the memory(Image: The Daily Mirror)

Signed the same day as Santos, but didn't earn a permanent move after his loan. Had some positive moments, though, scoring six goals in all competitions.

Injuries prevented the Scotland defender from having a bigger impact in North London. Now back at Celtic after playing just 13 league games in his final Arsenal season.

Showed real promise after breaking into the first team as a teenager. Faded as Jack Wilshere supplanted him in the middle of the park and eventually returned to Brazil after five seasons with the Gunners.

A proper Mikel Arteta-style defender, the Japan international was great when fit but wasn't fit often enough. Returned to the Premier League this summer, joining Crystal Palace.

Jorginho delivered a huge moment against Aston Villa(Image: PA)

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The Italy international joined at the end of the winter window in 2023 and played his part in a dramatic late win over Aston Villa weeks later. A popular squad presence, he ultimately left for Flamengo in the summer of 2025.

Arsenal angered Atleti when meeting the Ghanaian's release clause weeks into the 2020/21 season. Was allowed to leave in 2025 after an up-and-down five years in North London.

A deal which few saw coming, the Brazilian helped Arsenal transition from Unai Emery to Mikel Arteta. Played his part in the memorable 2020 FA Cup win.

A painful loss for some United fans and a popular pick-up in North London. Scored some memorable goals during what was at times a difficult period for the London club.

Joined as part of the deal which saw Ashley Cole move to Stamford Bridge and became captain ahead of his second season. His behaviour in the painful draw at Birmingham in 2008 will cloud some fans' memories, but he had excellent moments both before and after.

Arrived a few months after starring for Russia at Euro 2008. Four-goal haul against Liverpool will live long in the memory, but he blew hot and cold across his 144 outings.

A bargain for a player who served the club so well for the best part of a decade. A stalwart at left-back who won over fans even as the team underwhelmed on the pitch.

Already justified his addition by helping Arsenal end their long title drought. Loan became permanent this summer, and the Ecuadorian will hope to be a key part of Arteta's squad for years to come.

Hincapie joined the club after ending a long title drought at Leverkusen, and then did the same in England. The sky looks to be the limit.

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Per Mertesacker was huge for Arsenal on and off the pitch(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

The German signed in the wake of a humbling 8-2 defeat to Manchester United, adding experience and leadership. He would later officially become the Gunners' captain in 2016, having worn the armband in the FA Cup final win a year prior.

Mertesacker continued to make a huge impact at the Emirates Stadium after retiring. He headed up Arsenal's academy for a number of years, laying the foundations for the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly to make the step up to the first team.

Another January deadline-day deal: Aubameyang followed his former Dortmund colleague Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Arsenal. He joined in the final window of the Arsene Wenger era but did his best work under other bosses.

Things didn't end brilliantly for the Gabonese international, who left for Barcelona in another deadline day deal in 2022. However, he scored an impressive 92 goals in just 167 appearances - including both in the 2020 FA Cup final win.

One of those signings which doesn't come along all that often, and which rightfully had Arsenal fans losing their minds when it happened. Things might have ended on a sour note for Ozil at Arsenal, but that shouldn't mask how great he was at his peak.

The German international was at his best when Arsenal challenged for the title in 2014 and 2016 before falling away in the spring on both occasions. His 54 assists - along with 33 goals - put him in the Premier League's top 50 of all time despite him playing less than 200 times in the competition.

Yeah, fine, we've cheated a bit here and - as with Mertesacker - included Arteta's. post-playing impact here. Still, there's a case to be made that conceding eight at Old Trafford serves as the origin story for where Arsenal are now.

On the pitch, Arteta gave the club three solid seasons and some dressing room leadership, even when he wasn't a regular starter in his final few years. Off it, well, we all saw what last season meant to the club and its supporters.

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