Arsenal made £45m January transfer mistake amid Gabriel Martinelli injury as target scores on his full debut for new club

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Arsenal’s decision not to add a forward to their ranks in the January transfer window looks worse by the day.

Gabriel Martinelli will potentially miss seven games after sustaining a hamstring injury last week against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.

That leaves the Gunners with just three senior attackers to pick from for the foreseeable future, as Martinelli and Bukayo Saka work their way back to fitness.

This lack of forward depth could ultimately cost Mikel Arteta’s team in their attempts to close the points gap with Liverpool in the Premier League, while it could also hinder their Champions League campaign.

One target who Arsenal opted not to pursue at the end of the window has already got off the mark for his new club, and demonstrated to the Emirates hierarchy that his presence in N5 would’ve been useful.

Former Arsenal target Mathys Tel scores in first Tottenham start

Arsenal had the opportunity to embarrass Tottenham in the transfer window, after Bayern Munich youngster Mathys Tel rejected a move to the Lilywhites.

However, as the Gunners chose not to sign the teenager, while fellow potential suitors Manchester United also pulled out, Tel reversed his decision and ultimately joined Spurs on deadline day.

Arteta and senior figures within the club reportedly felt that the 19-year-old wasn’t ready to make an instant impact for a team gunning for the title.

However, with the way Tel has started his spell at Tottenham, and with the depth concerns in Arsenal’s squad, the decision not to sign the player looks like a mistake already.

The Frenchman had to feed off scraps on his dull debut for Spurs against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, in what was a rampant performance from Unai Emery’s side against Arsenal’s bitter rivals.

However, he did score in injury time, excellently diverting Dejan Kulusevski’s cross beyond Emi Martinez.

This predatory instinct inside the box is something Arteta’s team lacks, while his general tenacity, strong hold-up play and willingness to run in behind despite receiving minimal service, also suggests he’s more than capable of performing at this level already.

Tottenham secured Tel on loan with a £45 million buy option, a deal which would’ve suited Arsenal.

With an additional competent option to pick from, the Gunners would be less concerned by their injury woes and wouldn’t have to overburden the likes of Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

• READ MORE: Aaron Ramsdale shares the Bukayo Saka clip everyone needs to see that epitomises why he is Arsenal’s ‘star boy’

How would Mathys Tel have fit in at Arsenal?

Primarily a wide forward, Tel could’ve been used in place of Trossard or Martinelli on the left.

However, having deputised for Harry Kane at the Allianz from time to time, the youngster also would’ve been a viable option to provide Havertz with some much needed respite from time to time.

As shown by his statistics, Tel’s key attribute is his ability to provide a goal threat, taking over three shots and accumulating 0.32 expected goals per 90 minutes.

His movement is excellent, and he would’ve been an competent compliment for Havertz, who looks to drop deeper and involve himself more in the build-up.

While not an ideal mid-season solution for Arsenal, Tel would undoubtedly have been useful.