Arsenal are football's only billion pound squad as Rice and Saka make them world leaders

Missing out on a first Premier League title since 2004 to Manchester City, a season of the highs eventually ended on a down note.

There were understandably concerns among Gunners fans that they may have missed their chance, with Liverpool and Chelsea both expected to come back stronger this season.

On top of that, no one was quite sure what would happen in the summer transfer window, but instead everything has exceeded expectations.

Signing top level talent in all three outfield positions, Mikel Arteta has upgraded his defence with Jurrien Timber, midfield with Declan Rice, and attacking options with Kai Havertz.

Rice in particular was about as big a statement signing the club has made in the Premier League era, and he has acted as a double-whammy on the balance sheet.

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Joining from West Ham for a club record £105million, Arsenal also beat title rivals City to his signature.

In doing so they became the highest spenders in world football this summer, with their £197m just ahead of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.

But when it comes to bang for your buck, Arsenal are in a league of their own.

The Rice deal has taken the north London side ahead of City for the most valuable squad in world football, according to transfermarkt.

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Valuing Rice below his price tag at £76m, the same figure has been awarded to captain Martin Odegaard, with Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli just behind on £68m.

Beating them all, though, is England superstar Bukayo Saka, who has been given a valuation of £102m.

The 20-year-old attacker has come off of an incredible season with 14 goals and 11 assists in the league last term, meaning only City's Erling Haaland (£153m) is valued higher than him in England.

That leaves City second in the running at £990m thanks to other huge talents including Phil Foden (£94m) and Rodri (£77m).

Following the Premier League top two is PSG on £860m, a large chunk of which is made up by Mbappe's £153m valuation, with Neymar way down at £51m.

Real Madrid are close behind with two players over the £100m mark, Jude Bellingham at £102m and Vinicius Jr at £128m, but a compact squad leaves the overall team at £837m.

Bayern Munich slot it at fifth with a value of £791m thanks to young superstars like Jamal Musiala, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies, while Chelsea are sixth at £751m despite Todd Boehly's incredible spending spree.

And while the average value of players in Arsenal's squad stands at £31.2m, less than City's £39.9m and Madrid's £34.9m, their sheer quantity of top class youngsters suggests Arsenal have the depth to not just challenge again for the Premier League, but maybe even make a dent back in Europe's top tier.