Mikel Arteta has been pushing for new signings in January as Arsenal set their sights on a top-four finish, yet the Gunners are still lacking that marquee signing which would send a message to their rivals that they mean business.
Arsenal had chased Dusan Vlahovic for the majority of the winter transfer window, but the Fiorentina star snubbed a move to England in favour of joining Juventus for £63m.
The 21-year-old is one of Europe’s most in-form strikers and capturing the Serbian would have put the Gunners back on the map if they clinched his signature.
Now Arteta has to move on and focus on alternative targets, with Real Sociedad frontman Alexander Isak believed to be on his radar. The 22-year-old is hardly prolific, with eight goals in 25 appearances this season, but would add some fresh impetus to the frontline.
The north London outfit cannot afford to rest on their laurels after a significant summer of spending, topping the list of net expenditure in the Premier League with a £150million splurge in the summer.
Tottenham are set to complete late deals for Juventus pair Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur, West Ham are eyeing a move for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Manchester United could feasibly sign at least two players on deadline day.
Those players would unquestionably strengthen their top-four rivals and Arteta, along with sporting director Edu Gaspar, must ensure they do not have any lingering feelings of regret from this window.
Along with Isak, Arteta has targeted a pass-master to add to his squad amid concerns over the fitness of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, with Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves a £40m target.
But he faces ending the window in disappointment if the north London side do not complete any late deals before the January 31 deadline.
Around 12 months ago, Arsenal had little choice but to strengthen their squad after a dismal first half of the season, languishing in 15th in December and Arteta seemingly one bad result away from the axe.
He survived that period somehow, as the Gunners picked up their form in the second half of the season — and all without any major signings — to finish eighth.
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Martin Odegaard arrived on loan from Real Madrid, but it felt like a stop-gap solution rather than a permanent one at the time. Of course, the Norwegian proved to be a shrewd addition to the squad and subsequently earned a £35m move in the summer.
The only other signing Arteta brought in was Mat Ryan from Brighton provide cover for Bernd Leno. The Australian was a solid signing as a deputy to Leno, keeping the German on his toes after some mixed displays earlier in the season.
But to risk that happening again would be irresponsible.
There were concerns over Arteta’s future then, however, which explains perhaps why the Arsenal board were reluctant to spend big. The financial issues that resulted from the coronavirus pandemic also impacted their outlay.
But a year on, such issues are no longer as prominent as they were before, reflected by the club’s decision to splash out on six new signings over the summer.
They backed their manager by allowing him to release Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi, as well as offloading Sead Kolasinac and Matteo Guendouzi on loan. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s imminent loan departure to Barcelona would suggest the 39-year-old retains that level of faith.
The difference is from this stage last season is that Arsenal were merely trying to stay afloat. Now they have something to prove after spending big and a target to aim for: European football.
Having missed out on continental competition for the first time in 26 years, doing so for a second year running could have disastrous consequences.
Allowing Aubameyang to leave is arguably the right call to maintain Arteta’s authority — a U-turn would have undermined his bold call to exile the Gabonese star. But it leaves the club short in numbers in attack, while there are question marks over the future of Eddie Nketiah ahead of the deadline.
After making steps over the past three months to salvage their season, Arsenal must press ahead with their future plans to bridge the gap to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
The club have been cautious in the market before under Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, and have been left with a frustrated fanbase who want to see more ambition from the club’s hierarchy. There is only one day left in the market to avoid a repeat of that happening.
Signing players of Isak and Neves’ ability would not only prove to the supporters the club are heading in the right direction, but also hand Arteta the tools he needs to focus on securing a top-four finish.
