Mikel Arteta is not anticipating any new arrivals at Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
Speaking at his deadline day press conference, ahead of Arsenal hosting Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Mikel Arteta made a decisive statement about the club’s remaining transfer business.
As quoted by Arsenal reporter Kaya Kaynak, who was in attendance at the press conference on behalf of football.london, Arteta said, “I don’t expect anybody to come in.”
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Of course, it may be a mistake to take the Spanish coach at face value. Arteta may simply be keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to potential new arrivals. However, on this occasion, it seems probable that the Gunners are indeed unlikely to make any new signings before the 11pm transfer deadline tonight.
Instead, the focus at the club is clearly on getting players out of the Emirates Stadium. Sporting director Edu is the man with the task of shifting the Arsenal deadwood.
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Arsenal still have work to do
Left-back Nuno Tavares has already joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal. Nottingham Forest also have an option to make the Portuguese defender’s switch to the City Ground permanent next summer.
According to The Daily Mail, centre-back Rob Holding also appears to be on the verge of departing. He has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace. He would be a good fit at Selhurst Park, and will expect to get the regular game time he has been missing at Arsenal recently.
As for the likes of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Cedric Soares, and Nicolas Pepe, there is still work to be done in getting them off the Arsenal payroll. Of course, not all global transfer markets close today. The markets in Saudi Arabia and Turkey will remain open after 11pm this evening, meaning there may still be an escape route available to some of Arsenal’s unwanted players if they’re still at the club.