‘It’s a pure gamble’ – Ian Wright defends Arsenal’s January transfer window amid fan meltdown

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Arsenal failed to secure a striker signing in the January transfer window, prompting concern over the lack of depth Mikel Arteta has at his disposal in forward areas.

The Gunners were linked with numerous players, such as Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but little progress was made on any one deal.

Watkins was the subject of a bid from Arsenal, which Aston Villa immediately rejected and the North Londoners weren’t willing to increase their offer.

Arsenal fans were fuming at the lack of incoming business, expressing their bemusement at the club’s choice not to push for a striker.

Arteta also vented his frustrations over the situation, although legendary striker Ian Wright doesn’t share this pessimistic outlook.

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Ian Wright defends Arsenal’s transfer window

January is a notoriously difficult market to operate in, particularly when looking to recruit a prolific goalscorer.

Teams aren’t willing to sanction the departure of their first choice striker, and thus Arsenal found it difficult to acquire a forward due to the reported fees that were being demanded.

This is the sentiments of former Gunners striker and now pundit Wright, who defended the club’s inability to recruit.

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, the charismatic figure said: “It was always going to be tough for us. Isak wasn’t even an option.

“When we’re talking about strikers, it’s a gamble and I don’t care who you are.

“Darwin Nunez, Rasmus Hojlund… Isak went for £63 million, he’s the only one in recent times that I’m looking at as a striker who has probably doubled his money.

“You look at Nicolas Jackson. For £32m, I’m happy with that. But when you start getting past £50m, you have to start thinking that it’s a pure gamble.

“They’re hoping that it works and I don’t think Arsenal can afford to do that. That’s probably why they went for a 29-year-old in Ollie Watkins or Villa tried to get him to come to us, whatever it was.”

There were some suggestions that Villa were eager to cash in on Watkins to ease PSR concerns, and that a proposal in the region of £60 million would’ve seen a deal materialise.

However, Arsenal deemed these demands too excessive and didn’t return with an improved offer.

“As a club, I don’t think we can afford to take the chance on those kind of signings hitting or missing,” Wright said.

“It has to hit with Arsenal and this is why it’s so tough.

“I’ve always thought it was so difficult to get somebody in January. Who is going to leave at that stage who is the calibre of player you want? We’re going to have to see something in the summer.”

Arsenal made a mistake not signing anyone

While Wright’s comments about the January market being difficult to operate in are valid, Arsenal simply had to get someone in.

Without Bukayo Saka, the current crop of forwards available to Arteta won’t suffice, with their output not quite good enough to sustain a title race, while they’re also at risk of burning out.

Arsenal were correct to not act rashly and scupper their summer plans, but a short-term deal for someone on the market would’ve been a smart move.

Mathys Tel joined Tottenham, and this was certainly one the Gunners should’ve pursued more aggressively.

While raw, the Frenchman could’ve provided the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with a semblance of competition.

Now the pressure is on the aforementioned trio to deliver consistently in a congested fixture schedule.