The January transfer window slammed shut without a single senior player arriving at Arsenal who will aid their top-four challenge in the remaining 17 games of the season.
Arsenal supporters were left frustrated as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left on a free transfer and was not replaced or even simply covered to relieve pressure on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. In midfield, despite a pursuit of Arthur Melo from Juventus, nothing materialised in the end.
The Arsenal strategy in recruitment has been to avoid making the mistakes of the past regarding the high fees and wages given to players who failed to return on the investment of the club. Only if the club were sure on a player did they move, leading to the six summer signings.
However, with a shortage of strikers and quality needed in midfield, resisting the urge to move for anyone this January could cost them in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
The January window is a difficult market to find quality and convince teams to sell. However, there were players available, and that moved in the window that technical director Edu either failed to acquire or simply chose not to pursue.
In fact, The Arsenal Way has compiled a list of 15 strikers and central midfielders who moved this January but who the Gunners allowed to go elsewhere for reasonable fees comparative to their quality.
Bruno Guimaraes – Lyon to Newcastle - £40 million
A player linked with Arsenal for some time, the Gunners eventually chose not to pursue Bruno Guimaraes and the Brazilian signed for the enriched Newcastle United. A player with brilliant passing, strong tackling and consistency, he may be one that the club will regret not moving for. He would have certainly upgraded upon the existing midfielders at the club.
Denis Zakaria – Borussia Monchengladbach to Juventus - £6.6 million
Granit Xhaka’s international teammate and thought to be the long-term future of the Switzerland central midfield, Denis Zakaria, joined Juventus in a very cheap deal. With just six months left on his contract, a low fee was inevitable. Certainly a competitor for a starting spot alongside Thomas Partey, Arsenal may have missed a quality and cheap midfield option.
Wout Weghorst – Wolfsburg to Burnley - £12 million
Arsenal ironically attempted 22 crosses against Burnley to a 5’9 striker. Sean Dyche has signed 6’5 Wout Weghorst who would have thrived on the Arsenal plan to break the deadlock against their previous league opponents.
The 29-year-old has been a consistent goalscorer for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and at a cheap price, could have provided the Gunners with something different in the final months of the season and a plan B option in the following campaign after a marquee forward was brought in.
Daniel Wass – Valencia to Atletico Madrid - £2.25 million-plus add-ons
A player who has been a versatile figure for both club and country, Daniel Wass has come in as Kieran Trippier's replacement at Atletico Madrid. Yet the central midfielder by trade could have given Arsenal plenty of options and for a low price.
With Aubameyang gone, the young Arsenal side could be looking for guidance and Wass’ vast experience in addition to his consistent quality could have been an asset in midfield or as to support the right full-back role.
Arthur Cabral – Basel to Fiorentina - £13.3 million
The man signed to replace Dusan Vlahovic at Fiorentina. 27 goals in 31 games for Basel and signed for just €16m. The fact Arsenal did not even consider the 23-year-old who shares plenty of characteristics with his predecessor is a real shame.
Called up to the Brazilian senior national team, Arthur Cabral would have been a great option now and even to support a potential marquee forward signed in the summer with differing traits. A big miss by Edu.
Dejan Kulusevski – Juventus to Tottenham - £8.3 million loan + £29.9 million option
Dejan Kulusevski would not have been an inspiring signing but he would have provided depth to Arsenal. Having played at right-wing, centre-forward and even attacking midfield, his versatility may have given Mikel Arteta what he was after. With more freedom in a central striking role, he may have discovered the form that rose him to prominence in Serie A at the age of 19.
He would have been a gamble, but on a loan deal the risk is minimal and he may make a difference in the top four race yet, just not for Arsenal.
Joey Veerman – Heerenveen to PSV - £5 million plus add-ons
An unknown to many, Joey Veerman was being tracked by Rangers before Dutch heavyweights PSV snapped up the versatile central midfielder for a lowly price. Five goals and nine assists from both central and defensive midfield positions describe a player with an eye for directness and progression.
At 23, he would have fit the age profile for what Arsenal have been bringing in and added a new offering to the midfield. One to keep track of for the future, especially with the golden eyes of recruitment in Italy, Atalanta, keeping a close eye on the Dutch midfielder.
Krzysztof Piatek – Hertha Berlin to Fiorentina – Loan plus £12.25 million option
Another forward that was brought into Fiorentina to aid in the loss of Dusan Vlahovic, life has begun well for Krzysztof Piatek back in Italy, scoring in the 5-2 away win at Napoli. The tall striker made himself known to the world whilst at Genoa.
He needed a new challenge and perhaps he could have rekindled the form that saw 22 Serie A goals scored in 37 games. With the creativity at Arsenal, the service could have given Piatek the ability to find this consistency. A loan will have been very low risk and a better alternative to Lacazette than Nketiah.
Kelvin Yeboah – Sturm Graz to Genoa - £5.4 million
Before you ask, yes he is. The nephew of Leeds United’s former outrageous goalscorer Tony Yeboah, Kelvin has come through impressively in Austria with Sturm Graz and signed a lucrative deal with Genoa. With Eddie Nketiah leaving at the end of the season, Yeboah could have been a good young cheap option to provide more depth in the position.
11 goals in 18 appearances earned him the move and Yeboah will hope he can now make it at the top level. Granted, Yeboah is the biggest stretch on this list but is present as an example of some of the younger options that were out there this January.
Stefano Sensi – Inter Milan to Sampdoria - Loan
Rated highly at Inter Milan. A central midfielder who can play in any of the three positions in the middle if asked. The Nerazzurri are reluctant to lose Sensi permanently but could still end up waving goodbye in the summer with minutes lacking in the San Siro.
Sensi joined Sampdoria on a dry loan. An option that Arsenal seemingly never explored, but had they, they would have found a motivated, technical midfielder offering something completely different to their current available assets.
Iliax Moriba – RB Leipzig to Valencia - Loan
The infamous Barcelona youth product left the Camp Nou to join RB Leipzig after failing to reach an agreement with The Blaugrana. He is in need of minutes which, admittedly, may not have been forthcoming at Arsenal. Although, Valencia will not present an easy route into the side either. Showing the willingness of the player to challenge himself at a sizeable club.
Moriba has and still is considered to be one of the young stars to keep an eye on. Arsenal could have secured a loan, maybe even with an option, to give Arteta the chance to tame the midfielder. A rogue choice but one who could have added something the Gunners midfield.
Cedric Bakambu – Free agent to Marseille – Free transfer
A classic Arsenal transfer link from the past. Cedric Bakambu signed and scored on his debut for OM and will play alongside William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi for the rest of the campaign.
A free signing that Arsenal could have taken a chance on for little risk. OM did offer a two-and-a-half-year contract which the Gunners would likely not have equalled. Yet the Congolese striker on a free could have given Arteta further options in the front line.
Tiago Tomas – Sporting Lisbon to Stuttgart - £410,000 18-month loan plus £12.5 million option
Another striker linked previously with a move to Arsenal, Tiago Tomas signed in a very shrewd deal for Stuttgart thanks to former Gunners recruitment executive Sven Mislintat. A young forward with great physicality, mobility and an eye for the net.
Tomas could have been a striker to give Arsenal more presence in the striker position and it will be with regret that perhaps the club watch on as he tackles the Bundesliga.
Sardar Azmoun – Zenit to Bayer Leverkusen - £4.17 million
Bayer Leverkusen have signed the man who could be their long-term replacement for Patrick Schick, which in itself is a compliment considering the season the Czech striker is having. Sardar Azmoun however is a standout in his own right.
85 goals in 208 Russian League appearances plus a further 38 assists and only just turned 27 on New Year’s Day, Azmoun is a recognised regular European-level goalscorer and for €5 million could prove an absolute steal for the German side. Another cheap missed opportunity for Arsenal.
Samuele Ricci – Empoli to Torino – Loan with obligation
Finally, yet another player linked with Arsenal but only as recently as this winter. The young Empoli midfielder signed for Torino is a deal reportedly worth £9.1 million when he inevitably signs in the summer.
Ricci is a diminutive and highly-rated central midfielder who was integral to Empoli’s promotion from Serie B and has transitioned seamlessly to the top tier of Italian football. Another to keep an eye on for the future but who could be a missed opportunity for Arsenal this winter already.
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