Premier League wage table sums up Arsenal achievement as Liverpool overtake City

MIRROR

Arsenal are chasing a first Premier League title in 19 years – and the significance of such an achievement is heightened by their financial status.

The Gunners are two points clear of perennial champions Manchester City with a game in hand ahead of their clash with Everton on Wednesday night. Mikel Arteta’s side have bounced back from a three-match winless streak by beating Aston Villa and Leicester in their past two games.

Arteta’s squad has been built through impressive work in the transfer market over the past few years, with players like Aaron Ramsdale (£32m), Ben White (£50m), Thomas Partey (£45m), Martin Odegaard (£30m) and Gabriel Jesus (£45m) forming the backbone of the side. While they have spent freely in recent transfer windows, their wage bill remains well below their rivals.

Arsenal spent £206m on players’ wages that season – a whopping £178m less than the Premier League ’s biggest spenders Manchester United (£384m). Liverpool shelled out £366m, while Manchester City spent £354m that season. Arsenal’s closest rivals, Spurs, spent £209m – a similar figure to the Gunners.