Despite their ambition to bolster the team, with offers on the table and a clear list of desired players, Arsenal concluded the January transfer window without signing anyone.

Mikel Arteta’s team remains deeply involved in the Premier League title race and is among the top contenders in the Champions League this season. However, they chose not to reinforce a squad that has shown signs of fatigue at times.

Arsenal’s quiet transfer window was not unique; both Chelsea and Liverpool also refrained from making significant signings, but this approach carries its risks.

The decision reflects various considerations, both on and off the pitch, which have developed not just in the last month but throughout Arteta’s tenure.

The club has long had its eyes on key targets like Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak, seen as answers to their need for a primary striker. However, both were out of reach this window. Newcastle is determined to keep Isak, and it would likely take a British record transfer fee to lure him away in the summer.

Sesko, on the other hand, had previously declined a move to the Premier League, preferring to evaluate his situation at RB Leipzig at the end of the season.

A last-minute interest in Ollie Watkins caught many by surprise, but differing valuations and Jhon Duran’s move to Saudi Arabia halted this potential transfer before it could gain momentum.

There were also late-stage negotiations for Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, but Arsenal decided to save their resources for the summer, anticipating tough competition for their top targets.

Emergence of Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri

Although a central striker was considered the primary need, injuries and a thin squad might have pushed Arsenal to look for emergency signings in January.

With Ben White out long-term and Riccardo Calafiori struggling with fitness, Arsenal were left short at full-back. Moreover, Bukayo Saka’s absence created a significant gap on the left wing.

However, instead of turning to the transfer market, Arsenal looked to their youth academy for solutions, and this approach has paid off handsomely.

Myles Lewis-Skelly has adapted effortlessly at left-back, even potentially overtaking Calafiori for the starting spot. Meanwhile, Nwaneri, once unleashed by Arteta, has thrived, showcasing his technical skills and goal-scoring ability from the left wing.

Fixture congestion easing

Arsenal’s injury woes have likely been exacerbated by the busy schedule over Christmas and New Year, which isn’t surprising.

However, their early exit from the FA Cup against Manchester United in the third round has provided a rare opportunity for a break to regroup.

Arteta’s team intends to make the most of this downtime, planning another warm-weather training camp in Dubai after their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg versus Newcastle on Wednesday.

With an automatic spot in the Champions League’s last 16, Arsenal might have felt that focusing on rehabilitating their injured players was a better strategy than scrambling for last-minute transfers.

Patient transfer approach

Arsenal’s cautious strategy in January reflects a broader club philosophy favoring long-term planning over immediate, risky moves.

Concerns about financial regulations and a preference for strategic patience were evident, much like last January when they avoided mid-season signings after the hefty summer investments in Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.

There was a chance to sign Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel on transfer deadline day, but Arsenal decided against it, feeling he wouldn’t significantly enhance their current lineup.

However, this doesn’t mean the club has been inactive. There are rumors that a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is nearly finalized for the summer transfer window, potentially outmaneuvering Liverpool and Manchester City for the promising Spanish midfielder.

Additionally, Arsenal is actively working to secure Norwegian talent Sverre Nypan for the next season, despite competition from Manchester City.

Whether this conservative strategy will hinder their title aspirations again is yet to be determined, but Arsenal seems prepared to take that chance.

Newcastle United face a significant injury worry before their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

During Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Fulham at St James’ Park, midfielder Joelinton had to leave the pitch due to a knee problem. This was later confirmed by head coach Eddie Howe.

“Yeah, he was suffering with a knee injury, which was a shame,” Howe said. He was struggling in that second half.”

Disturbing images have surfaced of Joelinton wearing a knee brace just days before Newcastle’s crucial Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. The team leads 2-0 from the first leg, set to play at St James’ Park on Wednesday at 8pm.

The photos show Joelinton at the Newcastle training facility, celebrating his son’s eighth birthday with his family, but the sight of his braced knee has raised concerns among fans. While the use of a brace could be precautionary soon after an injury, it’s not a good sign for the 28-year-old’s participation in the upcoming match.

Although Joelinton’s involvement looks doubtful, there’s some positive news for Newcastle as striker Callum Wilson nears a comeback. Out for over eight weeks with a hamstring injury, the 32-year-old is reportedly close to returning, with Howe noting he’s “there or thereabouts” for the game after resuming training.

“Yeah, Callum will be there or thereabouts,” Howe said. “He’s trained, as I said, on Friday a couple of times. He’s looked good.

“Obviously I’ll speak to everyone connected with Callum and his welfare and make sure we involve him at the right time.”

In addition to the doubts over Joelinton and Wilson, Newcastle will certainly be without winger Harvey Barnes who is still around a couple of weeks away from a return after picking up a thigh injury last month.

Jamaal Lascelles is also a long-term absentee as he enters the final stages of his recovery from an ACL injury.
Newcastle holds a comfortable two-goal lead from the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon at the Emirates last month. However, recent form at St James’ Park has been poor, with the team losing their last two home games, while Arsenal comes into the match buoyed by a 5-1 victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

Adding to Newcastle’s woes, there are doubts over Joelinton and Wilson’s availability, and they will definitely be without winger Harvey Barnes, who is still a couple of weeks away from recovering from a thigh injury sustained last month.

Defender Jamaal Lascelles is also out, being in the late stages of recovery from an ACL injury.

The saga surrounding Mario Lemina’s transfer might finally conclude in a way that Wolves fans would celebrate, as he nears a departure from the club.

Throughout the transfer window, Lemina caught the eye of several teams. Initially, Al Shabab made the first move for him back in January. Despite this, Vitor Pereira’s previous club couldn’t finalize a deal, leading to Galatasaray stepping in as a potential new home for the 31-year-old.

It has become evident that Wolves supporters were keen for Lemina to move on, especially after he declined to play in the match against Newcastle and expressed his desire to leave Molineux. Now, it looks like he might get his wish, with Galatasaray on the verge of securing the ex-Juventus player.

With Mario Lemina’s contract set to end in 2025, Wolves had initially set a £5 million price tag on their former captain. But as the transfer window nears its end, it seems the club’s leadership is ready to accept a lower fee to move him off their roster.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on X that Galatasaray has settled on a £2.5 million transfer fee for Lemina, after Al Shabab couldn’t secure his services last month.

The Turkish club has been keen on signing him throughout the window, and with no last-minute issues, they might confirm his transfer before the deadline.

The deal is progressing quickly; Lemina has already been spotted in Turkey, suggesting his transfer is imminent.

After Wolves’ stunning 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, Lemina congratulated his teammates but knew he wouldn’t regain favor after his refusal to play against Newcastle.

His actions have paved the way for a return to Turkey, where he previously played for Fenerbahçe.

If all goes according to plan and he inks a deal with Galatasaray, he’ll depart Wolves after two years, having made 77 appearances and scored six goals.