<div>
<p>What will Chelsea's standing be?</p>
<div>
<p>
<img alt="Arsenal transfer spending - Top clubs receiving fees in the last two decades"
src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/arsenal-spend-spotlight-1753787071-173406.png"
title="Arsenal transfer spending - Top clubs receiving fees in the last two decades">
</img>
</p>
<p><span></span></p>
</div>
<p>Historically, during the tenure of iconic manager Arsène Wenger, Arsenal was often viewed as a club hesitant to invest heavily in player transfers. The transition from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 significantly constrained their spending capabilities, leaving the North London club with limited financial resources while rivals splurged. However, this trend has shifted in recent seasons. With stadium debts now settled, Mikel Arteta's revamped squad has been able to make substantial investments in acquiring top talent, aiming to elevate the Gunners back to the pinnacle of English football.</p>
<br/>
<p>Despite some high-profile acquisitions not meeting expectations, there have been clubs that have benefited from Arsenal's substantial expenditures in the transfer market. So, which clubs have Arsenal spent the most on in the past 20 years since the 2004/05 season? Let’s take a look, courtesy of <em>Transfermarkt</em>. Notably, two of their London rivals are among the top five.</p>
<br/>
<h2>Top Clubs Arsenal Has Paid in Transfer Fees</h2>
<br/>
<p>At the top of the list is Chelsea, who have received €173.7 million from Arsenal for a total of nine players over the last two decades. This includes the recent €56 million transfer of winger Noni Madueke and a €5 million deal for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Following Chelsea in second place is French club Lille, with Arsenal spending €118 million on three significant transfers in the last 20 years. While the €26 million signing of defender Gabriel in 2020 has proven to be a success, the same cannot be said for the €80 million acquisition of Nicolas Pépé in 2017 or the €12 million deal for Gervinho in 2011.</p>
<br/>
<p>
<img alt="" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/arsenal-spending-1753785821-173405.png?lm=1753785841" width="503">
</img>
</p>
<br/>
<p>In third place is West Ham, who received €116.6 million from Arsenal, entirely from the club-record signing of Declan Rice. Fourth on the list is La Liga side Real Sociedad, where Arsenal has spent a total of €102 million on midfielders Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi over the past year. Borussia Dortmund come in fifth, having sold three players to the Gunners for a total of €90 million. Manchester City follows in sixth, with €87.2 million from the transfers of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko in 2022.</p>
<br/>
<p>In seventh place are La Liga giants Real Madrid, with €84 million from two player transfers. Brighton holds the eighth spot, having earned €82.5 million from three sales to Arsenal, including Ben White for €58 million. Portuguese club Sporting is ninth after selling striker Viktor Gyökeres to the Gunners for €65.8 million this summer. Finally, in tenth place is Bologna, which has made €63.6 million from transfers to the North London club since 2004.</p>
</div>