Arteta left frustrated as Arsenal fail to sign striker in January

As the January transfer window closed, Arsenal found themselves without any new signings, despite manager Mikel Arteta’s expressed desire to bolster the squad’s attacking options.

No New Faces at Arsenal: Arteta Fails to Land Striker as Window Closes

The club had been linked to several forwards, including Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but negotiations did not come to fruition.

The Gunners’ pursuit of additional firepower became more pressing following Gabriel Jesus’s injury earlier in the season, which is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign.

Despite this setback, Arsenal did not secure a replacement, leaving Arteta to rely on existing players such as Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and the anticipated return of Bukayo Saka to lead the attack.

In terms of departures, Arsenal sanctioned a few exits during the window. Brazilian forward Marquinhos was loaned to Serie A side Cruzeiro until December 2025, aiming to gain valuable first-team experience.

Additionally, young defender Josh Robinson joined League One outfit Wigan Athletic to secure regular playing time.

The most notable departure was that of teenage prospect Ayden Heaven, who completed a permanent move to rivals Manchester United. The 18-year-old’s transfer has raised eyebrows, given the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs.

Reflecting on the transfer window, Arteta emphasized his focus on upcoming fixtures rather than player acquisitions.

“My focus is that we have the best preparation we can have for Wednesday, and that was the only thing I was interested in,” he stated.

As the season progresses, Arsenal will need to rely on their current squad depth to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and other competitions.

The lack of new signings places additional pressure on existing players to perform and stay injury-free in the demanding months ahead.