What Edu Gaspar’s replacement actually did at Arsenal during the January transfer window

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The January transfer window was a frustrating one for Arsenal fans, who expected more from the club’s hierarchy.

After the summer transfer window was a disaster for Arsenal, there was great hope that the winter would be different.

A forward signing is what fans wanted, with Mikel Arteta also calling for a striker following injuries to key players.

Despite Josh Kroenke paying a visit to the Emirates during the window, Arsenal were rather quiet throughout, failing to sign a player before the deadline.

• READ MORE: Every Arsenal deal completed on winter 2025 transfer deadline day as rivals strengthen ranks

What temporary Arsenal sporting director Jason Ayto did in the transfer window 

There was a glimmer of hope on deadline day as Arsenal were in contact with Mathys Tel but, the forward ended up at Tottenham.

It wasn’t a massive blow for the Gunners, who weren’t overly convinced about what the teenager could offer Arteta’s squad at this moment in time.

In terms of transfer attempts, there was one, as Arsenal bid to sign Ollie Watkins, an offer that Aston Villa rejected with little thought.

Arsenal fans were furious about the January transfer window, taking aim at the club’s hierarchy, which has changed dramatically since the season started.

Edu Gaspar shocked Arteta and left Arsenal, triggering the start of the hunt for a new sporting director, with Jason Ayto taking the reins on a temporary basis.

Questions were asked about Ayto in January as many wondered what Edu’s stand-in actually did on the transfer front.

It’s now come to the surface that Ayto actually played a part in a significant narrative ahead of the summer transfer window, as The Athletic revealed. 

The interim sporting director ‘picked up the baton’ from Edu when it came to making a breakthrough in negotiations with Real Socided and Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal are poised to sign Zubimendi in the summer in a shock transfer U-turn after the midfielder rejected Liverpool.

Ayto worked hard behind the scenes to ensure talks remained strong between all parties, with The Athletic noting that the Gunners remain ‘strongly positioned’ to sign the Euro 2024 winner.

Arsenal have a point to prove in the summer transfer window

Now that the January transfer window has closed, Arsenal must move on from the desire to sign a forward this winter.

Arteta didn’t want to simply bring in a body, with the budget saved for the summer, where great things are now expected. 

Arsenal’s interest in Alexander Isak could lead to a sensational nine-figure transfer but, nothing is guaranteed despite Arteta’s admiration for the Newcastle United striker.

For now, the remainder of the season will be tackled with the limited squad as it is, presenting the Kroenke’s with the chance to redeem themselves sensationally in the summer.