Arsenal now told they have reason to be worried after Everton hit with charges

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Journalist James McNicholas believes that Arsenal will be wary in the wake of the latest sanctions to have hit Everton.

It has not been a busy January transfer window for Arsenal so far, with no arrivals or departures at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have been linked with plenty of players, though. Everton midfielder Amadou Onana is thought to be open to a move to the north London club. Roma defender Leonardo Spinazzola has also been named as a potential acquisition, amongst many others.

A lack of resources is a huge problem for Mikel Arteta, though. Whilst Arsenal may be keen to make signings, they do not have the transfer budget available to them with which to do so. 

Like all Premier League clubs, Arsenal have to monitor their spending carefully. They are only allowed to rack up a certain level of financial deficit, by virtue spending more cash than they bring in. 

Earlier this season, Everton were hit a with ten-point deduction by the Premier League for failing to comply with these financial regulations. Along with Nottingham Forest, the Merseyside outfit have recently been charged by the Premier League again.

The sanctions set to come down on Everton and Nottingham Forest are a warning to all other clubs in the division. Arsenal have to keep these potential consequences in mind when weighing up their transfer plans. 

Arsenal must heed Everton warning in January transfer window

James McNicholas believes that this is a significant factor in how Arsenal are approaching the current transfer window. Speaking on the Arsecast Extra podcast, the reporter said, “you do wonder how much these profit and sustainability rules influence clubs’ thinking. Now they’re seeing charges and punishments meted out relatively swiftly…I think it will feature in Arsenal’s thoughts, given the amount of money they spent last summer…I’m not particularly optimistic right now of Arsenal making a significant signing in this window.”

The Gunners cannot afford to run afoul of the Premier League financial rules and regulations. Having spent heavily in the recent summer transfer window, including shelling out a club-record £105 million fee to sign Declan Rice, on top of investing in the services of Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, the club now have to tread carefully from this point on.

Unless a significant sale is made this month, Arsenal may find that their hands are largely tied when it comes to being able to spend. Whilst the club are actively working to move two players on, their exits are unlikely to yield significant income.