Transfer expert David Ornstein has discussed just how close Arsenal have managed to get to landing a striker on the winter transfer deadline day.
It comes as the Gunners have looked to bolster their forward ranks for Mikel Arteta as the second half of the season is well underway.
There have been some reservations about how good the attacking options are at Arsenal, with players repeatedly missing big chances in some tight games.
Over the past two seasons, there has been plenty of talk about landing a clinical goal-scorer, though it has yet to materialise.
Links have occurred over the past month though, with Arsenal making a bid for Ollie Watkins, while Mathys Tel has been a transfer target.
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David Ornstein discusses Arsenal transfer deadline day plans
With the transfer deadline moving ever closer, it appears more and more unlikely that Arsenal will land the striker they desire.
It was always going to be a difficult market to operate in, with top targets like Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak unlikely to be available.
That hasn’t stopped moves for Watkins and Tel, but even those are now in doubt over the final hours of the market.
Transfer expert David Ornstein gave an update on a broadcast on X surrounding Arsenal and their transfer business.
On the Gunners, following their 5-1 win over Man City, he said: “Results like that show they have got very good players who, when they finish their chances, are more than capable of carrying the burden.
“Of course, they would like to have added to their resources and that’s why they were exploring the market.
“Apart from the Watkins situation, where they expressed an interest at around £40million, Villa would’ve been looking for something around £60million to consider it before making the decision to go with the Duran sale.
“Other than that, there was never any realistic chance of getting a Benjamin Sesko, an Alexander Isak or anybody else that was linked with them and they would’ve been aware of that in this window.”
When asked about links with Tel in particular, he added: “They were linked with Tel as well, they talked about it internally.
“I think there was some contact with his representatives to understand the situation, but not a great deal more.
“Mikel Arteta didn’t want to bring just a body in and I think that’s what Tel would’ve been. He’s not a striker, he’s not a number nine, which is what they were looking for.
“So do you bring in a wide attacker when that’s not necessarily what you were looking for in this moment in time?
“He’s 19, he’s not been playing really for Bayern Munich. Arsenal fans have a lot of things that they want them to deliver on now, win at this moment in time.
“So, I think it’s bold, like what Liverpool have shown in recent times. If you’re not sure about something then don’t do it – keep your powder dry and then back yourselves to deliver. That’s on them now, and Mikel Arteta. And then see what you can do in the summer.”
Arsenal must throw everything at summer striker transfer
With a move now seeming unlikely in the final hours of the January transfer window, attention must turn to the summer.
Arsenal have been unable to land the striker they need over the past few markets and it has plagued them ever since.
With opportunities passed up in recent months, full focus must be placed on landing the centre-forward who will make a difference.
Who that is remains to be seen, with Sesko and Isak seemingly the prime candidates to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.
However, plenty can change in the months between, with some potential surprise names that could pop up in contention for a switch.
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