Football

  • Denis Suarez: A £2.5m loan fee and wages reported to be over £50,000 a week all for 95 minutes of action this season. Ouch. Action Images via Reuters
    Denis Suarez: A £2.5m loan fee and wages reported to be over £50,000 a week all for 95 minutes of action this season. Ouch. Action Images via Reuters
  • Igors Stepanovs: Arrived as back-up to Tony Adams and Martin Keown in 2000 from Latvian club Skonto Riga and is the centrepiece of a fine anecdote in teammate Ray Parlour's autobiography. When Stepanovs arrived on trial, Parlour and the squad were praising everything he did, saying he was brilliant (despite being awful), just to wind up Keown who was very insecure over who may take his place in the team. Next thing they know, Arsene Wenger has given Stepanovs a four-year contract. He then played at Old Trafford against Manchester United - Arsenal lost 6-1. He made just 17 appearances. Allsport
    Igors Stepanovs: Arrived as back-up to Tony Adams and Martin Keown in 2000 from Latvian club Skonto Riga and is the centrepiece of a fine anecdote in teammate Ray Parlour's autobiography. When Stepanovs arrived on trial, Parlour and the squad were praising everything he did, saying he was brilliant (despite being awful), just to wind up Keown who was very insecure over who may take his place in the team. Next thing they know, Arsene Wenger has given Stepanovs a four-year contract. He then played at Old Trafford against Manchester United - Arsenal lost 6-1. He made just 17 appearances. Allsport
  • Pascal Cygan: Cost £2m from Lille in 2002 and was largely a fringe player. Wasn't exactly a waste of money, given his low fee, but was never going to be a long-term solution. Played 63 league games over four years. Getty Images
    Pascal Cygan: Cost £2m from Lille in 2002 and was largely a fringe player. Wasn't exactly a waste of money, given his low fee, but was never going to be a long-term solution. Played 63 league games over four years. Getty Images
  • Andre Santos: Fans who thought they were getting the next Roberto Carlos were in for a bad surprise. Having cost £6.8m, the left-back was shunted out after 13 league starts across two years and irked fans when he swapped shirts with Manchester United's Robin van Persie at half time during an 8-2 defeat to the Red Devils. Getty Images
    Andre Santos: Fans who thought they were getting the next Roberto Carlos were in for a bad surprise. Having cost £6.8m, the left-back was shunted out after 13 league starts across two years and irked fans when he swapped shirts with Manchester United's Robin van Persie at half time during an 8-2 defeat to the Red Devils. Getty Images
  • Park Chu-young: To be fair, the South Korean's record at previous club Monaco wasn't bad - 25 goals in 89 starts. He wasn't even given a league start at Arsenal, though, after signing in 2011. He was moved out on loan to Celta Vigo and Watford and has since had a few reasonable seasons at FC Seoul in his homeland. Getty Images
    Park Chu-young: To be fair, the South Korean's record at previous club Monaco wasn't bad - 25 goals in 89 starts. He wasn't even given a league start at Arsenal, though, after signing in 2011. He was moved out on loan to Celta Vigo and Watford and has since had a few reasonable seasons at FC Seoul in his homeland. Getty Images
  • Kim Kallstrom: Signed at the end of the January 2013 transfer window on a loan deal, but was actually injured at the time. When he returned to fitness the season was almost over, so he made just four appearances. What was the point? Getty Images
    Kim Kallstrom: Signed at the end of the January 2013 transfer window on a loan deal, but was actually injured at the time. When he returned to fitness the season was almost over, so he made just four appearances. What was the point? Getty Images
  • Lucas Perez: The Spaniard had decent pedigree after a goal-laden season at Deportivo La Coruna and joined for a fee of £17.1m in the summer of 2016. He wasn't trusted though and made just 11 league starts with one goal before being sent on loan back to Deportivo and then signing for West Ham where he has also spent much of his time on the bench. Getty Images
    Lucas Perez: The Spaniard had decent pedigree after a goal-laden season at Deportivo La Coruna and joined for a fee of £17.1m in the summer of 2016. He wasn't trusted though and made just 11 league starts with one goal before being sent on loan back to Deportivo and then signing for West Ham where he has also spent much of his time on the bench. Getty Images
  • Francis Jeffers: The "Fox in the Box" was one of the great hopes of English football and scored in his only international appearance. He showed so much promise at Everton which led to Wenger forking out £8m for him in 2001, but the fox became rather stuck in a hole and contributed eight goals across four seasons. Across 15 seasons, his highest goal tally in one league campaign was six. Getty Images
    Francis Jeffers: The "Fox in the Box" was one of the great hopes of English football and scored in his only international appearance. He showed so much promise at Everton which led to Wenger forking out £8m for him in 2001, but the fox became rather stuck in a hole and contributed eight goals across four seasons. Across 15 seasons, his highest goal tally in one league campaign was six. Getty Images
  • Philippe Senderos: The Swiss centre-half was an Arsenal player for seven years after arriving from Servette in 2003, but was slow, cumbersome and nowhere near the level of Tony Adams and Sol Campbell. He was sent off three times in under 12 months during 2006 and 2007. Frances Leader
    Philippe Senderos: The Swiss centre-half was an Arsenal player for seven years after arriving from Servette in 2003, but was slow, cumbersome and nowhere near the level of Tony Adams and Sol Campbell. He was sent off three times in under 12 months during 2006 and 2007. Frances Leader
  • Oleg Luzhny: Not a massive waste of money at £1.8m, but Arsenal got what they paid for in 1999 - a substandard right-back who looked half-decent in the Ukrainian league. Unable to get in ahead of Lee Dixon and then overtaken by Lauren. Getty Images
    Oleg Luzhny: Not a massive waste of money at £1.8m, but Arsenal got what they paid for in 1999 - a substandard right-back who looked half-decent in the Ukrainian league. Unable to get in ahead of Lee Dixon and then overtaken by Lauren. Getty Images
  • Richard Wright: England's best goalkeeping prospect back in 2001 and the best keeper in Ipswich Town's history when Arsenal signed him for £6m. He left for Everton after only one season and with his reputation downgraded having failed to look like the long-term replacement for David Seaman. AFP
    Richard Wright: England's best goalkeeping prospect back in 2001 and the best keeper in Ipswich Town's history when Arsenal signed him for £6m. He left for Everton after only one season and with his reputation downgraded having failed to look like the long-term replacement for David Seaman. AFP
  • Kaba Diawara: Remember him? £2.5m for just two league starts in 1999 and unsurprisingly no goals. The Guinea forward signed from Bordeaux, where he did manage to notch a few, and Arsenal made a profit on him when he was sold to Marseille for £3m. He resurfaced in English football briefly at Blackburn and West Ham. No league goals there either. Action Images via Reuters
    Kaba Diawara: Remember him? £2.5m for just two league starts in 1999 and unsurprisingly no goals. The Guinea forward signed from Bordeaux, where he did manage to notch a few, and Arsenal made a profit on him when he was sold to Marseille for £3m. He resurfaced in English football briefly at Blackburn and West Ham. No league goals there either. Action Images via Reuters
  • Sebastien Squillaci: Signed from Sevilla in 2010 as an established European defender. Mistake after mistake meant he was quickly cast aside and played only one league match in his last two seasons before leaving for Bastia in France. Getty Images
    Sebastien Squillaci: Signed from Sevilla in 2010 as an established European defender. Mistake after mistake meant he was quickly cast aside and played only one league match in his last two seasons before leaving for Bastia in France. Getty Images
  • Shkodran Mustafi: There were high hopes when he signed for £35m from Valencia in 2016. Those hopes have now turned to despair. The German has suffered a disastrous season and has committed the most fouls in the Premier League. No value for money at all. Getty Images
    Shkodran Mustafi: There were high hopes when he signed for £35m from Valencia in 2016. Those hopes have now turned to despair. The German has suffered a disastrous season and has committed the most fouls in the Premier League. No value for money at all. Getty Images
  • Marouane Chamakh: Arrived as a free transfer from Bordeaux but was well short of the standard Arsenal fans were used to from the likes of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. After an average first season in 2010/11 which yielded seven league goals, his Arsenal career swiftly fizzled out. He then failed to impress at Crystal Palace. Getty Images
    Marouane Chamakh: Arrived as a free transfer from Bordeaux but was well short of the standard Arsenal fans were used to from the likes of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. After an average first season in 2010/11 which yielded seven league goals, his Arsenal career swiftly fizzled out. He then failed to impress at Crystal Palace. Getty Images
  • Eduardo: Prolific at Zagreb in Croatia, he joined Arsenal for about £7.5m in 2007 and netted 12 goals in his first season before suffering a broken leg against Birmingham City. He was out for a year and returned a lesser player before being sold to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2010. He was unfortunate rather than bad. Getty Images
    Eduardo: Prolific at Zagreb in Croatia, he joined Arsenal for about £7.5m in 2007 and netted 12 goals in his first season before suffering a broken leg against Birmingham City. He was out for a year and returned a lesser player before being sold to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2010. He was unfortunate rather than bad. Getty Images

Denis Suarez, Shkodran Mustafi and Kaba Diawara: 16 of Arsenal's worst ever signings

Spaniard Suarez has ended his spell at the Emirates Stadium - after just 95 minutes of action

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

May 02, 2019

There's no shortage of terrible transfer signings in the bulging money-pot that is the Premier League.

Step forward the likes of Eric Djemba-Djemba (Manchester United), Iago Aspas (Liverpool) and Roberto Soldado (Tottenham Hotspur).

But Arsenal have also been heavily involved over the years in signing players who were swiftly acknowledged as being short of the desired standard, and offering nowhere near value for money.

And the club has managed to add another to its ranks this season, in Spaniard Denis Suarez.

The former Manchester City youngster arrived in loan from Barcelona in January having made only eight appearances this season, and just two in La Liga.

Unfortunately for him, and Arsenal, he didn't make many more - he played 67 minutes across four league matches and 95 in total before a groin injury curtailed his spell.

Now, this wouldn't have been so bad in days gone by when loan deals were more of an act of goodwill, but now they can involve huge fees - in this case a reported £2.5m to Barcelona, plus the player's substantial wages.

Suarez took to Twitter to voice his "anger" and say farewell...

Many fans took to social media to label him the club's "worst ever signing". We'll let you decide - take a look at the slideshow at the top.

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25 players available on a free transfer this summer

  • Ander Herrera: The Spaniard's contract standoff at Manchester United has rumbled on for months amid widespread reports that he will join PSG in the summer. Hasn't quite reached the top level during his time at Old Trafford, but will be sought after by Europe's elite as a dependable midfield option. EPA
    Ander Herrera: The Spaniard's contract standoff at Manchester United has rumbled on for months amid widespread reports that he will join PSG in the summer. Hasn't quite reached the top level during his time at Old Trafford, but will be sought after by Europe's elite as a dependable midfield option. EPA
  • Adrien Rabiot: Banned from playing by PSG for not signing a new deal, there's no question of him moving clubs this summer - it's just a case of which one. His mother and agent labelled him a "prisoner" at the club. Swap deal for Herrera at Manchester United perhaps? AP Photo
    Adrien Rabiot: Banned from playing by PSG for not signing a new deal, there's no question of him moving clubs this summer - it's just a case of which one. His mother and agent labelled him a "prisoner" at the club. Swap deal for Herrera at Manchester United perhaps? AP Photo
  • Juan Mata: Have Manchester United had value for money after he signed for £37m in January 2014? I'd say opinion would be split. Contributes vital goals and assists but they come in fits and bursts. At 31, no shortage of offers if he leaves. EPA
    Juan Mata: Have Manchester United had value for money after he signed for £37m in January 2014? I'd say opinion would be split. Contributes vital goals and assists but they come in fits and bursts. At 31, no shortage of offers if he leaves. EPA
  • Diego Godin: A rock at the back for nearly a decade at Atletico Madrid, who offer just a one-year deals to those aged over 30. Linked with a move to Inter in Serie A where a longer contract is said to be in the offing. AFP
    Diego Godin: A rock at the back for nearly a decade at Atletico Madrid, who offer just a one-year deals to those aged over 30. Linked with a move to Inter in Serie A where a longer contract is said to be in the offing. AFP
  • Dani Alves: The experienced PSG full back must be running out of room in his trophy cabinet after sustained success across spells at Barcelona, Juventus and now in France. Will he move to another top team or take on a fresh challenge lower down? AFP
    Dani Alves: The experienced PSG full back must be running out of room in his trophy cabinet after sustained success across spells at Barcelona, Juventus and now in France. Will he move to another top team or take on a fresh challenge lower down? AFP
  • Daniele De Rossi: 'Mr Roma' has played more than 600 times for the Italian club but his time could be up this summer after just 16 league starts in this campaign. Now 35, it is not clear whether he will move into the dugout, carry on elsewhere or stay for another season. Getty Images
    Daniele De Rossi: 'Mr Roma' has played more than 600 times for the Italian club but his time could be up this summer after just 16 league starts in this campaign. Now 35, it is not clear whether he will move into the dugout, carry on elsewhere or stay for another season. Getty Images
  • Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard has put his nightmare injury behind him and impressed at Villarreal. Other clubs will have noted his sustained fitness this season and at 34 he could have a few more seasons left in him. AFP
    Santi Cazorla: The Spaniard has put his nightmare injury behind him and impressed at Villarreal. Other clubs will have noted his sustained fitness this season and at 34 he could have a few more seasons left in him. AFP
  • Franck Ribery: After more than a decade at Bayern Munich, the 36-year-old Frenchman has still been a regular this season and has scored five goals. Linked with a move to Qatar. Getty Images
    Franck Ribery: After more than a decade at Bayern Munich, the 36-year-old Frenchman has still been a regular this season and has scored five goals. Linked with a move to Qatar. Getty Images
  • Arjen Robben: Bayern's other elder statesman set for the exit, like Ribery he has also put in sterling service across a decade. Hit by injury this season, the 35-year-old has still scored five times and is just short of a century of league goals for the German giants. Getty Images
    Arjen Robben: Bayern's other elder statesman set for the exit, like Ribery he has also put in sterling service across a decade. Hit by injury this season, the 35-year-old has still scored five times and is just short of a century of league goals for the German giants. Getty Images
  • Max Kruse: The Bundesliga player of the month for March has been enjoying an impressive season at Werder Bremen and will be on the radar of a host of top European clubs. The 31-year-old has spent his whole career in Germany and this summer could be his last chance of a stab at the big time. EPA
    Max Kruse: The Bundesliga player of the month for March has been enjoying an impressive season at Werder Bremen and will be on the radar of a host of top European clubs. The 31-year-old has spent his whole career in Germany and this summer could be his last chance of a stab at the big time. EPA
  • Fernando Llorente: It's not easy being in the shadow of Harry Kane, as the Spaniard has found out. Just two Premier League goals across two seasons is proof of that and Spurs could look for a younger, more mobile bench warmer for next season. Getty Images
    Fernando Llorente: It's not easy being in the shadow of Harry Kane, as the Spaniard has found out. Just two Premier League goals across two seasons is proof of that and Spurs could look for a younger, more mobile bench warmer for next season. Getty Images
  • Shinji Okazaki: His spell at Leicester has gone downhill since their incredible title win in 2016 when he was a key foil for Jamie Vardy. No goals this season and a lack of action. He could be an attractive option for promoted teams. Action Images via Reuters
    Shinji Okazaki: His spell at Leicester has gone downhill since their incredible title win in 2016 when he was a key foil for Jamie Vardy. No goals this season and a lack of action. He could be an attractive option for promoted teams. Action Images via Reuters
  • Samir Nasri: The Frenchman has quality but has struggled to show it since joining West Ham on a short term deal in January. He's made just six appearances and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Hammers wave goodbye. Getty Images
    Samir Nasri: The Frenchman has quality but has struggled to show it since joining West Ham on a short term deal in January. He's made just six appearances and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Hammers wave goodbye. Getty Images
  • Antonio Valencia: The winger converted into a right-back has barely featured for Manchester United this season and is poised for the exit. He should be able to pick from a wide range of options around the world. Getty Images
    Antonio Valencia: The winger converted into a right-back has barely featured for Manchester United this season and is poised for the exit. He should be able to pick from a wide range of options around the world. Getty Images
  • Andy Carroll: The injury-prone West Ham striker has suffered another injury-hit season which has brought zero league goals. A class act when fit, but who will take the risk? Action Images via Reuters
    Andy Carroll: The injury-prone West Ham striker has suffered another injury-hit season which has brought zero league goals. A class act when fit, but who will take the risk? Action Images via Reuters
  • Alberto Moreno: Overtaken at Liverpool by the Premier League's best left back, Andrew Robertson. Regularly, albeit somewhat bizarrely given some of his performances, linked with a move to Barcelona. Getty Images
    Alberto Moreno: Overtaken at Liverpool by the Premier League's best left back, Andrew Robertson. Regularly, albeit somewhat bizarrely given some of his performances, linked with a move to Barcelona. Getty Images
  • Vincent Kompany: Close to securing another league title at Manchester City, it is hard to imagine the 33-year-old playing anywhere else. His injury problems have subsided allowing him to make 28 appearances so far this season. Will surely stay. Action Images via Reuters
    Vincent Kompany: Close to securing another league title at Manchester City, it is hard to imagine the 33-year-old playing anywhere else. His injury problems have subsided allowing him to make 28 appearances so far this season. Will surely stay. Action Images via Reuters
  • Gary Cahill: Overlooked this season but at 33 he should have time for another stint in the Premier League or top flight abroad. Has been linked with West Ham. Reuters
    Gary Cahill: Overlooked this season but at 33 he should have time for another stint in the Premier League or top flight abroad. Has been linked with West Ham. Reuters
  • Nacho Monreal: Still a regular at Arsenal who are yet to activate a contract extension clause. Linked with a move back to Spain, the 33 year old has been a decent servant at left back for the past seven seasons. Reuters
    Nacho Monreal: Still a regular at Arsenal who are yet to activate a contract extension clause. Linked with a move back to Spain, the 33 year old has been a decent servant at left back for the past seven seasons. Reuters
  • James Milner: Versatile, accurate from the penalty spot and could be a title winner with Liverpool in the next few weeks. Is there a more attractive free transfer? The Reds will surely look to tie him down for another year in the summer. Action Images via Reuters
    James Milner: Versatile, accurate from the penalty spot and could be a title winner with Liverpool in the next few weeks. Is there a more attractive free transfer? The Reds will surely look to tie him down for another year in the summer. Action Images via Reuters
  • Daniel Sturridge: The Liverpool striker's career has gone in a strange direction. He was established in the England team and formed a super partnership with Luis Suarez at Anfield, but then he was blighted by injury. Now he plays a bit part role behind Salah, Firmino and Mane, but does he have enough left in the tank to be first choice at another club? Hard to predict where he will be come next season. Reuters
    Daniel Sturridge: The Liverpool striker's career has gone in a strange direction. He was established in the England team and formed a super partnership with Luis Suarez at Anfield, but then he was blighted by injury. Now he plays a bit part role behind Salah, Firmino and Mane, but does he have enough left in the tank to be first choice at another club? Hard to predict where he will be come next season. Reuters
  • Danny Welbeck: Like Sturridge he was a mainstay in the England team until injury put the brakes on and has had to watch others move ahead of him at Arsenal. A fresh start and a leading role elsewhere may do him some good. Reuters
    Danny Welbeck: Like Sturridge he was a mainstay in the England team until injury put the brakes on and has had to watch others move ahead of him at Arsenal. A fresh start and a leading role elsewhere may do him some good. Reuters
  • Olivier Giroud: Top scorer in the Europa League this season but has struggled to net in the Premier League where he is often overlooked. Will make a fantastic free signing if Chelsea choose not to keep him and clubs will be queuing up. Reuters
    Olivier Giroud: Top scorer in the Europa League this season but has struggled to net in the Premier League where he is often overlooked. Will make a fantastic free signing if Chelsea choose not to keep him and clubs will be queuing up. Reuters
  • Mario Balotelli: The past three years in France have seen the Italian striker back to somewhere near his best. Eight goals in 12 games at Marseille is a fine return after he joined in January but whether he stays on remains to be seen. AFP
    Mario Balotelli: The past three years in France have seen the Italian striker back to somewhere near his best. Eight goals in 12 games at Marseille is a fine return after he joined in January but whether he stays on remains to be seen. AFP
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