Squawka’s 2026 comparison puts Arsenal’s transfer spending under Mikel Arteta at £989.7 million in gross expenditure and £750.8 million in net spend. Among the Premier League Big Six, that ranks fifth for gross expenditure and fourth for net spend. There is a period mismatch: Arsenal’s Arteta-era total includes January 2020, while the comparison table covers full seasons from 2020/21 through 2026/27 to date.
Arsenal’s reported transfer spending under Arteta
Squawka reports Arsenal paid £989.7 million in transfer fees and received £238.9 million from sales, producing a net spend of £750.8 million. Net spend is gross expenditure minus reported sales income; it is not the same measure as the total paid for incoming players.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
adidas Arsenal Away Jersey 25/26 (Indigo/Silver) | $66.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Arsenal FC Badge Premium Vintage Triblend Soccer T-Shirt (US, Alpha, Medium, Regular, Regular, Red... | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Arsenal-specific total includes January 2020 business after Arteta’s appointment. The Big Six comparison below instead covers full seasons from 2020/21 through the 2026/27 window available to Squawka. The figures therefore are not a perfectly matched tenure-to-tenure comparison.
How Arsenal compares with the Big Six
The table shows Squawka’s Transfermarkt-based fee totals, rounded to the nearest £0.1 million. Gross expenditure measures fees paid for incoming transfers; income measures reported fees received; net spend is the difference.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Official 2025/26 away stadium version
- Lightweight, breathable fabric for maximum comfort
- Moisture-absorbing AEROREADY technology keeps you cool and dry
- Smooth seams and soft feel for reduced irritation
- Embroidered team crest and sponsor details
| Club | Gross expenditure | Sales income | Net spend | Net-spend rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | £2,006.0m | £1,089.4m | £916.5m | 1 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | £1,181.6m | £366.0m | £815.5m | 2 |
| Manchester United | £1,095.5m | £330.1m | £765.4m | 3 |
| Arsenal | £989.7m | £238.9m | £750.8m | 4 |
| Manchester City | £1,237.8m | £625.1m | £612.7m | 5 |
| Liverpool | £954.3m | £478.9m | £475.4m | 6 |
Arsenal’s position depends on the measure: its £989.7 million gross total is fifth-highest, while its £750.8 million net total is fourth-highest. Chelsea leads both rankings. Manchester City’s gross expenditure is second-highest, but its sales income brings its net spend below Arsenal’s.
Arsenal’s spending by season
Squawka’s season breakdown shows how Arsenal’s reported transfer balance changed over time. These rows begin in 2020/21 and do not include the January 2020 business included in the separate Arsenal Arteta-era total.
| Season | Expenditure | Income | Net spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | £73.6m | £16.4m | £57.2m |
| 2021/22 | £143.2m | £26.9m | £116.3m |
| 2022/23 | £159.3m | £20.4m | £138.9m |
| 2023/24 | £201.1m | £59.2m | £141.9m |
| 2024/25 | £92.1m | £71.7m | £20.4m |
| 2025/26 | £252.0m | £11.9m | £240.2m |
| 2026/27 to date | £68.4m | £32.5m | £35.9m |
The 2026/27 row is a partial-season figure, not a completed-season total. Across the listed full seasons, Arsenal’s net spend was highest in 2025/26 at £240.2 million, according to Squawka’s calculation.
Rank #2
- Officially Licensed Product
- 4.7 oz | 50% polyester, 38% cotton, 12% rayon
- Double needle stitching throughout
- Shoulder to shoulder neck tape
- Ribbed set-in collar
How Squawka calculates the totals—and what they omit
Squawka bases the comparison on Transfermarkt transfer fees and converts euros to pounds at €1 = £0.8555. It counts undisclosed fees, free transfers, and loans without stated fees as £0, and rounds totals to £0.1 million. These are comparison estimates based on reported transfer fees, not audited club accounts.
The table does not compare wages, agent fees, signing bonuses, or every other player-related expense across the clubs and seasons. It should be read as a transfer-fee comparison, not a complete measure of what each club spent on its squad.
Source: Squawka’s Arsenal net spend under Mikel Arteta comparison (2026), using Transfermarkt fee data.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
