Arsenal put to shame as star's £35m transfer to Liverpool highlights issue

Arsenal must improve at raising funds through transfer fees if they are to continue rivalling other top Premier League clubs in the market. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's £35million switch to Liverpool in 2017 remains the highest fee the Gunners have received.

That is the joint 15th highest amount of money received for a single player of the clubs playing in next season's top-flight. To place it into stark contrast, it is around the same fee that Liverpool are set to receive from Bayer Leverkusen for defender Jarell Quansah, a fringe player who started four Premier League games last season. Even more will be spent on Harvey Elliott if the midfielder leaves Anfield this summer. Each of the other Big Six teams have easily passed the £60m threshold for their record departees.

In an era defined by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Arsenal must be better at developing young players and selling them on for a profit. The club's huge revenue, which surpassed £600m in 2023-24, certainly helps. But that only provides a partial cushion if Arsenal are to spend the sums needed to finally topple Liverpool and Manchester City.

Emile Smith Rowe was evidence that Arsenal have improved slightly. Given the game time to develop into a good Premier League player, the midfielder was sold to Fulham last summer for an initial £27m, rising to £34m.

But whether Liverpool might have generated more income for a player who won three England caps during his time at the Emirates Stadium is a fair question to raise.

Arsenal are not expected to be in any trouble regarding PSR this summer. That is even after a £51m move for Martin Zubimendi is formally confirmed. The Gunners are also expected to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for around £17m, and Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a small fee. A substantial amount will also be laid out on a new striker if one arrives.

But around £70m in signings have left Arsenal for free this summer. Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Jorginho decided to move on at the end of their contracts. Not recouping a fee for any of those players shows Arsenal have some way to go before they can claim to be prudent in the transfer window.

The likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are all much better at maximising costs via departing players. That should worry Arsenal.