Arsenal lose £210m in four years thanks to poor transfer dealings

ARSENAL were once known as the best run club in the transfer market - ever since the late 1990s.

Remember when Arsene Wenger picked up the world class Sol Campbell on a free deal from rivals Tottenham in 2001?

But the Gunners have been nothing short of a disaster over the past few years, a contrast to what WAS a well run club.

Not a coincidence that ever since Stan Kroenke took full control of the North Londoners, it's been a downhill.

And if you look over the last four years, it becomes clear where the problem lies with more than £200m thrown away.

Losing top stars on free transfers, selling too cheap and youngsters going for nothing, it's been that bad.

Ever since the 2016-17 season it's been bad, and there's nothing that Arsenal supporters are going to like.

2016-17

SERGE GNABRY

LEFT FOR: £5m to Werder Bremen

WORTH: £60m

Once touted as one of the best young players at Arsenal, it never quite worked out despite a lot of promise.

A shocking loan spell at West Brom under Tony Pulis didn't help, before he headed off back to Germany with Werder Bremen for just £5m.

The 23-year-old winger is now tearing it up at Bayern Munich and worth at least £60m, and possibly more.

2017-18

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY

LEFT FOR: £10m to Juventus

WORTH: £20m

The Polish goalkeeper was a firm favourite with the Gunners fans but was often prone to a mistake or two.

The Italian giants obviously saw something in him, and picked him up for a snip price.

Now their No1 and a Serie A title winner, he's worth double the amount he was sold for, and again, probably more.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

LEFT FOR: £35m to Liverpool

WORTH: £50m

It might look harsh on Arsenal, but the simple thing is that Oxlade-Chamberlain went on the cheap.

At the time, it might have looked like good money - but it really wasn't and Wenger should have got more.

Now a Champions League winner and fighting for Premier League trophies, £35m looks good for Liverpool.

2018-19

JEFF REINE-ADELAIDE

LEFT FOR: £1.5m to Angers

WORTH: £20m

Another one of the Arsenal youngsters who had promise and never really got quite there at the Emirates.

He went to Angers for a fee not even worth talking about, to a club little known in Ligue 1.

But he impressed for the France squad at the Euro Under-21 Championships, and now he is worth a fortune.

SANTI CAZORLA

LEFT FOR: free to Villarreal

WOTH: £15m

One of the most gifted players to ever play for the Gunners in recent times, and that's no exaggeration.

He made an emotional free move back to his homeland, mostly down to a number of injury problems.

But he proved he still has a lot to give - even getting a recall to the Spain squad - and was worthy of another contract.

JACK WILSHERE

LEFT FOR: free to West Ham

WORTH: £15m

Once one of the most talked-about English players and touted as a dead certain Arsenal legend.

Only injuries have blighted the academy product from being up there with the true greats of the Premier League.

Now, at West Ham after a free, if he stays fit this season he is worth some cash - but they'll always be those question marks.

2019-20

DANNY WELBECK

LEFT FOR: free, no club

WORTH: £20m

He might not have fulfilled what they thought, but he scored some important goals for Arsenal.

The England striker is still going to do a solid job for someone next year despite a bad injury-plagued campaign.

There's no denying the ex-Manchester United forward is worth some cash and still has some years at the top left.

AARON RAMSEY

LEFT FOR: free to Juventus

WORTH: £60m

This is one that will hurt for years and years to come, arguably their best player gone on a free.

Yes, he's getting a good wage and going to a top side, but how could the Emirates hierarchy let this one happen?

The Welshman is worth at least, if not more than, £60m and it's nothing short of embarrassing he has left.

TOTAL: £210m