Arsenal is on the verge of signing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, but how have their past signings from La Liga performed over the years? We’ve ranked the 18 first-team players Arsenal has previously acquired from La Liga, listing them from worst to best.
Note: Youth signings like Hector Bellerin, Fran Merida, and Ignasi Miquel are not included.
- Denis Suarez
Arriving on loan from Barcelona in January 2019, Suarez made only six appearances in a disappointing six-month stay at Arsenal.
- Sebastien Squillaci
Squillaci joined Arsenal from Sevilla in August 2010, but struggled in England and left after the 2012/13 season.
- Lucas Perez
Signed after failing to land Jamie Vardy, Perez scored just one Premier League goal for Arsenal before returning to Deportivo La Coruna on loan.
- Davor Suker
Suker moved to Arsenal from Real Madrid in 1999 but found playing time limited behind Thierry Henry and others, scoring 11 goals in 1999/00.
- Gabriel Paulista
Joining from Villarreal in January 2015, Paulista failed to secure a regular starting spot and was sold to Valencia.
- Julio Baptista
On loan from Real Madrid in 2006, Baptista scored a memorable four goals against Liverpool in the League Cup.
- Shkodran Mustafi
A £35 million signing in 2016, Mustafi started well but became error-prone, making 151 appearances before leaving in 2021.
- Dani Ceballos
Loaned from Real Madrid, Ceballos played a key role in Arsenal’s 2019/20 FA Cup win but struggled in his second season.
- Thomas Partey
Partey, signed in 2020 for £45 million, has been plagued by injuries, potentially seeing his role diminished with Merino’s arrival.
- Jose Antonio Reyes
Reyes joined Arsenal in 2004, helping them go unbeaten that season, but struggled with homesickness and later left for Atletico Madrid.
- Nacho Monreal
Monreal, signed in 2013, became a fan favorite and won three FA Cups during his six-and-a-half years at Arsenal.
- Manuel Almunia
Almunia moved to Arsenal in 2004, eventually becoming the first-choice goalkeeper and making 175 appearances.
- Santi Cazorla
Cazorla, signed in 2012, was a standout performer, playing a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup successes before injuries curtailed his career.
- Lauren
Joining Arsenal in 2000, Lauren was integral to the Invincibles season and won multiple trophies with the club.
- Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez, signed in 2014, scored 80 goals for Arsenal and won two FA Cups, despite a controversial move to Manchester United.
- Mesut Ozil
Ozil arrived in 2013 and was instrumental in ending Arsenal’s trophy drought, winning four FA Cups and becoming a fan favorite.
- Martin Odegaard
Odegaard, initially on loan from Real Madrid, has been transformative, winning Arsenal’s Player of the Season twice since his permanent move.
- Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas, who joined Arsenal at 16, developed into one of the world’s best midfielders, scoring 57 goals and providing 95 assists before returning to Barcelona.