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.
