Arsenal’s January transfer window has been relatively quiet, with no incoming players at the club over the month.
That’s not without a want of trying, though, with the Gunners making some attempts to land a forward in the market.
Arsenal made a bid for Ollie Watkins, while Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel was also on the radar in the final days of the window.
Neither appeared likely to make a late switch though, which wasn’t the ideal situation for Mikel Arteta by the time the window slammed shut.
With Arsenal still chasing up some deals, discussion continued over the possibility of a surprise addition to the squad.
- READ MORE: Forget Mathys Tel, Arsenal already have a ‘great’ natural goal-scorer who Mikel Arteta loves
Announcement made on Arsenal’s potential transfer deadline day deals
There were hints at the possibility of Arsenal making a late move for a winger or striker before the end of the transfer window.
However, with options running thin, it seems as though the Gunners are unlikely to land the options that they want.
According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are finished for the transfer window, with no deal to be done in the final hours of transfer deadline day.
Arsenal Insider understands that the club’s hierarchy is happy with the current options, with any additions needed to improve quality and not wanted simply for extra bodies.
That means Mikel Arteta will be looking towards the summer, with the window offering an opportunity to strengthen even further.
Plenty of names have been linked, but the manager may have preferred an option over the winter window instead.
What Mikel Arteta said about January transfer signings
Speaking earlier in the transfer window, Mikel Arteta appeared to hint very heavily about his desire to sign another forward player.
He said before the clash with Wolves in late January to the press: “My opinion is clear – we lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people and options in the front line, it’s clear.
“If we can get the right player, that’s what we are actively looking at, but any player – no, we need someone that makes us better and makes an impact on the team, it’s clear that for the period that we have lost them ideally, we need some help because we were short already and we’re even shorter.
“The team has still coped with that but we have to do what is right for the club.”
As a result, there may be a mix of emotions for Arteta, who is unlikely to see the club now land the forward they need.
There were clearly targets available, with Ollie Watkins and Mathys Tel among those who could’ve been on the cards.
However, they weren’t pursued much further and Arsenal didn’t secure extra help for the manager.
While it may be frustrating, they also didn’t make the mistake of landing just anyone that could harm the balance of the team.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
