Despite several very public pleas, Mikel Arteta did not get the Arsenal boost he desperately wanted in the January transfer window. The need to sign a striker has been quite clear for some time, and that was before injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins were all linked with a move to the Gunners last month. The latter in particular was of significant interest to Arteta, which saw a bid submitted to Aston Villa ahead of deadline day.
Ultimately, Unai Emery’s side opted to sell Jhon Duran instead, which all but ended Arsenal’s pursuit of the 29-year-old. It is also unlikely he is back on the club’s agenda this summer, with some younger options likely to be available and that immediate impact Arteta was looking for not required.
Though Arsenal did not sign Watkins, meaning it was a second successive January window without a signing, Arteta appeared content at that scenario playing out. “We had a clear intention, which is always there is a window open to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it,” he admitted on Tuesday.
“We haven’t achieved it so we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kind of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well and I think that we will.” Though the summer window does not open until June, work will have started towards bringing in players.
Acquiring the services of a striker may well end up being the priority, but problems look set to arrive in a different position. Both Thomas Partey and Jorginho see their contracts expire this summer which could see Arteta lose his favoured defensive midfielders for free.
However, it is worth remembering the signing of a replacement for one of those names has seemingly already been completed. According to multiple reports from mid-January, Arsenal are set to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and plan to pay just a bit more than his £51million release clause in instalments.
With Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool all having been turned down by the Spain international, it shows how much of a coup it could be for Arteta. Until confirmation of his arrival has been announced, nothing is set in stone, but it does certainly look like the club’s first summer acquisition has been decided.
Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london’s dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!
By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.
To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!
If you’re curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.
