Even though Arsenal has won seven of the nine Premier League points so far this season, they are not in the finest form going into this weekend’s North London Derby.

Declan Rice’s dismissal from Brighton & Hove Albion has resulted in a suspension; Mikel Merino’s shoulder injury sustained during training has kept him out of action; and Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury sustained while playing for his country will keep him out of action for at least three weeks. As a result, Mikel Arteta has few options for his midfield.

Even though the Gunners’ current situation is undoubtedly partly their own fault, some supporters feel the team fell short by selling too many squad players and failing to buy a new midfielder in the summer.

Declan Rice, the red card

Although the latter may be accurate, Edu Gaspar and company did a good job of receiving the money they did for the players they sold this summer; in fact, the club’s finest sell under the Brazilian may have occurred earlier in his tenure.

The summertime exits of Arsenal

Therefore, even though Arsenal signed Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling, and Merino this summer, it appears that the majority of their operations were centered around shipping out the players who were judged surplus to needs.

Arsenal-Sterling

The team may have been exposed as a result, but the sales generated a sizable quantity of money that may come in handy the following summer.

For instance, fan favorite Emile Smith Rowe, who had firmly fallen out of favor the previous season, was transferred to Fulham for a £27 million initial cost with the possibility of a £34 million increase. Given the Hale Ender’s outstanding start to his career in West London, we wouldn’t be shocked to see that happen.

Eddie Nketiah left the team a month later, signing a contract with Crystal Palace for an estimated £30 million.

A sale made sense for all parties once more. A few years ago, the gifted striker appeared to be a bright talent. However, with Kai Havertz ahead of both of them in the standings and Gabriel Jesus on the team, it was obvious that the 25-year-old was no longer in the manager’s plans.

The striker Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal

Finally, on deadline day, Aaron Ramsdale, a fan favorite and a major contributor to the team’s first title campaign in 22/23, signed a contract to join Southampton for a possible £25 million with add-ons.

Though the team might be able to spend big again come summertime thanks to these three purchases, Edu’s finest sale happened the previous year.

Folarin Balogun’s estimated 2024 worth

The man in question is Folarin Balogun, a former striker for Arsenal who had his breakthrough in the 22–23 season while on loan at Stade Reims in Ligue 1.

The transfer of the Arsenal Academy to the Arteta of Omari Benjamin.

The “unbelievable” American striker, nicknamed by sportscaster Jules Breach, made 39 appearances for the French team. During that time, he scored a staggering 22 goals and contributed three assists, averaging one goal every 1.56 games.

He had only made ten appearances for the team overall, but it was obvious that he did not want to go back to North London and remain on the bench, so in the summer the club sold him to AS Monaco for a whopping £35 million. This is an incredible price for an academy striker.

The final two seasons of Balogun

Time of year

22–23

23/24

Looks

39

32

Objectives

22

8

Helps

3.

7.

Goal Contributions Each Game

0.64

0.46

Every stat through Transfermarkt

Furthermore, Edu and company timed the sale perfectly because, although he wasn’t bad for Monaco, he only managed to score eight goals and dish out seven assists in 32 games. That means that, during the same season that Alexandre Lacazette scored 27 goals and provided seven assists in 35 games, his average dropped to one goal every 2.13 games.

Due to his poor performance, Football Transfers has drastically reduced his valuation; at just €17 million, he is now valued at just £14 million, or £21 million less than what Arsenal paid for him the previous year.

Folarin, Bagun, and Monte

Balogun is a gifted forward who has the potential to have a great career, but Edu and Co. struck gold when they acquired him for £35 million, especially since he didn’t want to be a bench warmer at the Emirates and saw his value plummet.