Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are now in a strong position to attack the summer transfer window after a quiet January, and journalist Dean Jones has spoken to GIVEMESPORT about the positions they are likely to target at the end of the season.
The Gunners enjoyed a busy summer transfer window at the beginning of the campaign, bringing in Kai Havertz, David Raya, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice. Their hefty spending meant that the winter window was a quiet one, and it's no surprise considering it's difficult to find good value deals in the January market. With the Premier League's profit and sustainability hampering clubs in England at the moment, it's important to limit your spending at times.
A large portion of the fanbase was hoping to see a new striker arrive through the door in the winter. However, finding a player capable of making a major impact for a reasonable price is difficult, with clubs unwilling to offload their key stars in the middle of the season.
A quiet January for the Gunners
As mentioned, many Arsenal fans were hoping to see a new centre-forward arrive through the door in January. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have struggled for consistency this term, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka aren't hitting the numbers we saw them produce last season.
Arsenal forwards - 23/24 attacking output
Player
Goals
Assists
Shots per game
Bukayo Saka
7
7
2.7
Eddie Nketiah
5
2
1.6
Gabriel Jesus
4
3
2.4
Gabriel Martinelli
4
2
1.8
Leandro Trossard
4
1
1.6
Martin Odegaard
4
3
2.3
It might have come as a surprise to the footballing world that Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team didn't dip into the market before the deadline, especially after the Spanish manager made some comments about the lack of depth he has in his squad...
"We have one of the thinnest squads in the League, that's for sure. And when you talk about the numbers, especially in certain areas, we are really thin."
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed to GIVEMESPORT during the window that Financial Fair Play regulations were creating some minor issues for the north London club, meaning their lack of spending was slightly forced. In the final days of January, journalist Paul Brown told GIVEMESPORT that the Gunners made the decision not to bring in a new addition and they have a shortlist of targets who were always more likely to be available in the summer.
As a result, we could see Arsenal go all out in the summer after keeping their transfer budget untouched. Although it might hamper their chances of securing the Premier League title this season, Edu Gaspar and Arteta need to think about the long term.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
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