Arsenal have had hits and misses in the transfer market in recent years.
In both Unai Emery’s and Mikel Arteta’s reigns at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have signed players who have been able to have a hugely positive impact at the club.
For instance, the likes of Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, and Declan Rice, amongst others, have been sensational for the Gunners.
However, there have also been arrivals who failed to live up to expectations in North London. Denis Suarez was one such addition.
The Spanish midfielder arrived at Arsenal on loan from Barcelona in January 2019, but his time in the Premier League was decimated by fitness issues, as he managed just six appearances for the Gunners, across all competitions, before returning to La Liga. Even when he did play, the 30-year-old clearly wasn’t at his best and failed to impress.
Denis Suarez explains what went wrong for him at Arsenal
Emery didn’t last too much longer at Arsenal after Suarez departed, but both figures have been able to repair their reputations in subsequent years.
The midfielder impressed for Celta Vigo and recently returned to Villarreal. Meanwhile, the Spanish coach has done an impressive job in charge at Aston Villa.
Suarez has defended Emery’s time at Arsenal, and also thinks things would have been very different for him at the Emirates Stadium had his fitness issues not held him back.
Speaking to The Athletic, the once-capped Spain international said: “It was such a shame, honestly. I arrived at Arsenal and had physical problems. I wasn’t able to reach my normal level, no matter how much I tried. It would have been different if I had been fit and able to compete. But it just didn’t work out.
“I thought the club was fantastic. It’s a privilege to be able to say that I played for Arsenal, one of the greatest clubs in the world.”
Arsenal’s worst signings since Arsene Wenger left
Since the curtain came down on Arsene Wenger’s long Arsenal reign in 2018, the Gunners playing squad has been overhauled several times over.
Arteta has now build a squad capable of competing for major honours again, but there were missteps along the way.
Having been signed by Emery, Matteo Guendouzi clashed with Arteta and was ousted.
Investing in experienced players in the twilight years of their career has also backfired on the Gunners, as both Willian and Stephan Lichtsteiner were poor for the club and quickly moved on again.
Nicolas Pepe also proved to be a costly mistake, as he was Arsenal’s record signing prior to the arrival of Rice. Pepe recently admitted his price tag put pressure on him at Arsenal and held him back.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
