'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite enduring a rough patch in recent seasons, Arsenal remain one of the top teams in club football. The Gunners are one of only four teams to have won at least three Premier League titles.
Under Mikel Arteta, the north London side have assembled an exciting squad that could return to the Premier League elite in the next few seasons. They are currently sixth in the league standings, two points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, albeit with a game in hand.
The Gunners splurged last summer, bringing in the likes of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard, among others. Fortunately for Arteta, most of the newcomers have performed reasonably well this campaign.
On that note, here's a look at the five most valuable Arsenal players at the moment:
#5 Emile Smith Rowe - €38 million
Emile Smith Rowe is one of the most exciting young midfielders in the game at the moment.
Still only 21, the Englishman has already racked up almost 70 appearances for the Gunners across competitions, bagging 16 goals and nine assists. Nine of those goals have come this campaign, including eight in the Premier League.
He recently became the first Arsenal player in more than a decade to score in three consecutive substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Arteta, who holds Smith Rowe in high regard, said of the player:
"He has improved the dynamic and the attacking threat of the team with his movement and the way he links and finds relationships on the pitch. His threat on goal this season has been much, much better, with the capacity that he has to create chances, to open spaces for other team-mates, and he’s been a key player. Hopefully, we can sustain that over time.”
#4 Ben White - €40 million
Ben White was one of several new arrivals at Arsenal last summer. He arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion on a €58.5 million transfer with much fanfare.
However, the defender endured a tough debut outing for his new club, especially struggling to deal with aerial deliveries. Nevertheless, he has been persisted with by Arteta, and the player has repaid that faith to become a first-team regular.
The 24-year-old is versatile enough to be deployed anywhere across the defensive third. In this regard, Arteta stated:
"He has played as a central defender, he's played as a right-back and he's played in a back three. That's one of the positive things with Ben, that he has the capacity to play in different roles."
#3 Thomas Partey - €40 million
Thomas Partey's stint at Arsenal has been a mixed bag since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2020.
The 28-year-old has scored just once in over 50 games across competitions for the Gunners. That's a far cry from his exploits at Atletico, where he averaged a goal contribution (28 in 188) almost every eight outings.
Partey is coming off a disappointing outing with Ghana at AFCON, where he bagged two assists. However, the team endured an embarrassing group-stage exit after finishing fourth, behind modest Comoros.
#2 Martin Odegaard - €42 million
Martin Odegaard is one of the most exciting young midfielders in the game at the moment.
Since breaking out at Real Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2015, the Norwegian failed to cement a first-team place. He didn't bag any goal contributions in 11 games across competitions, and was sent on loan to Arsenal last January.
Odegaard enough during his short stint in London, though, and the Gunners signed him permanently for €35 million. He has scored four times and bagged as many assists across competitions this season. In the process, he became the youngest Norwegian in nearly two decades to score in consecutive Premier League games.
Still only 23, Odegaard will hope for a strong end to his first full season at the Emirates.
#1 Bukayo Saka - €65 million
Bukayo Saka, much like Odegaard, is one of the most highly-rated prospects in the game right now.
The 20-year-old has already racked up over 100 appearances for Arsenal, bagging 18 goals and 26 assists. His performances and composure belie his tender years, which also reflects in his current valuation.
By scoring against Manchester City earlier this season, the Euro 2020 finalist became one of the youngest players to score against the reigning Premier League champions.
Saka has bagged seven goals and four assists across competitions this season. Ten of those goal contributions (six goals and four assists) have come in the Premier League, where Arsenal are looking to finish in the top four.
