Top 5 big-money flops at Arsenal

#3 Lucas Torreira

Lucas Torreira failed to kick on at Arsenal.

Lucas Torreira moved to Arsenal after a good spell at Sampdoria and some impressive displays at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The diminutive Uruguayan also made a good start to life in north London, producing some bustling displays in midfield. He also earned the adulation of the fans when he scored a stunning overhead kick in the derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Torreira’s career couldn't quite kick-on after a good first season at the club. Unai Emery’s departure was part of the reason, as it was the Spaniard who signed Torreira.

Mikel Arteta did give the player a chance. But Torreira failed to impress consistently, and Arsenal loaned him out to Atletico Madrid last summer.

The Uruguayan cost the club around £25 million. But it doesn’t look like Alex Torreira has a future at Arsenal, at least under Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta on Torreira: “We have been talking to Lucas, Edu has been very close to the situation. He hasn’t been playing as many minutes as he would like, as we would like. We just want to be right behind Lucas, protect him, help him & make the right decisions for the future.”

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 28, 2021

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#4 Calum Chambers - €20.3 million

Calum Chambers

Southampton have one of the best academies in the Premier League, and the fans got to see that when they made it to the Premier League.

Of course, the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott first rose to the limelight at Southampton before their return to the top flight. But talented players like Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Calum Chambers are the new faces.

Calum Chambers was touted as a future star after impressing for the lower age groups at Southampton, where he also made his debut at the age of 18.

He is known for his versatility, as he can play at right-back, centre-back or defensive midfield. Of course, Arsenal took notice and signed him in 2014, which isn’t a small price for a teenager. However, he is yet to really fulfill his potential, and is barely getting any first-team action.

Chambers has failed to put in authoritative performances at the back, and it doesn’t seem like his situation is going to get any better at Arsenal any time soon.

Longest serving players in terms of time since Premier League debut for Arsenal Aug 2014 Calum ChambersOct 2014 Hector BellerinDec 2014 Ainsley Maitland-Niles

— Orbinho (@Orbinho) January 18, 2021

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#5 Danny Welbeck - €20 million

Danny Welbeck

Just 32 goals in 126 appearances is scant consolation for the price Arsenal paid to rivals Manchester United for signing Danny Welbeck in 2014.

Welbeck always had the talent, but never got the opportunity at Manchester United to impress regularly. At Arsenal, he had more of a chance to feature regularly, but he never managed a sustained run-in because of niggling injuries and poor form.

Danny Welbeck was eventually released by Arsenal after suffering a season-ending injury in 2019; the player has since had a forgettable spell at Watford subsequently.