Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed disappointment over the club’s inactivity in the winter transfer window, as they failed to make any signings. Despite this, he praised the club’s disciplined approach to transfers.
Arsenal were expected to sign an attacker after Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last month, with Bukayo Saka also yet to return from a hamstring issue. Arteta emphasized the club’s clear intent to strengthen their squad but acknowledged that injuries had impacted their ability to act in the market.
“We had a clear intention, which is always when a window opens, to explore opportunities to improve our squad with players who can make an impact,” Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle on Wednesday. We are disappointed in that sense but we are also very aware that we only want to bring in certain kinds of players, and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were.”
Arteta further clarified that any potential signings had to meet specific criteria. “It’s in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially, there are a lot of things we must stay aligned with, the approach that has taken us this far, and from there, try to improve.”
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained Arsenal’s transfer strategy, stating that the lack of business was due to the challenging market for buyers. “There are relatively few players available in the market,” he said. “With the extension of the Champions League and Europa League into January, many clubs were reluctant to sell, making it harder for Arsenal to recruit.”
Maguire added that if Arsenal were to recruit, they would need to enter a “rarefied market” and ultimately decided that there were no players who would immediately improve the starting XI or the regular 16.
Arteta acknowledged that, given the current injury situation, Arsenal’s attacking options would need to remain “flexible.” He hinted that he might need to “try something different” to cope with the challenges posed by the injuries.
The winter window also saw three players leave Arsenal. Defenders Ayden Heaven (17) and Josh Robinson (20) joined Manchester United and Wigan Athletic respectively.
Despite the lack of new arrivals, Arsenal are performing well in the Premier League, sitting second after their 5-1 victory over Manchester City on Sunday. They are currently six points behind leaders Liverpool, having played one game more.
