At the start of the winter transfer window, a lot of Arsenal fans were enthusiastic about the month they had ahead of themselves.
From transfer links and player unavailability it looked pretty clear that the North London outfit would indeed be busy in the mid-season transfer window.
But by the end of the month, the Gunners had let go of six players without bringing anybody in.
It proved to be very frustrating for the club’s faithful who were hoping to see few fresh faces, which would have certainly strengthened Arsenal’s resolve of a top four finish this campaign.
🗣 "We only want the best people and best players at this club."
Mikel Arteta says the plan for Arsenal in the transfer window was very clear and praises the job Edu and his team did pic.twitter.com/07RilgtwgS
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 9, 2022
Speaking ahead of the clash against Wolves in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta revealed the reason why the club decided not to inject the team with fresh blood.
“We are (were) very clear. We only want the best people and the best players at this club and when we are in a rush or different pressures, and the reasons are not the right ones to get a player on board, we decided not to do it.”
The Spaniard continued, “I trust the players, the quality that we have, the spirit, the togetherness that we have around the team, and we can achieve what we want.”
Arsenal has set a marker down this transfer window by not panic buying and clearing deadwood.
Every decision has a risk, but this has shown a lot of courage and not a lack of ambition as some claim.— Terry (@TerrySpringer19) February 1, 2022
While the majority of fans were frustrated, a section of the fanbase sighed in relief, realizing that the club has indeed learned from its past mistakes.
The Gunners have been infamous of plugging their long-term problems with short-term solutions. Denis Suarez, Willian, David Luiz and Cedric to some extent, are few names that immediately come to mind.
Last summer was a promising one and Arsenal again showed a bit of gutsiness in the winter window.
With 17 games to play, things can easily go against Arsenal’s way, with the small squad Arteta has at his disposal. But they can easily go the right way too.
Quotations credits: www.arsenal.com
Watch Mikel Arteta talking the transfer window, Aubameyang and the squad size.
It hurts not 2 see new players, especially after the clear out. But there’s a sigh of relief 2 see some players leave, players whose names we all know. Arsenal actually identified and moved 4 the players they needed, even though those deals fell through, we tried. At least there was efforts made. All Arsenal should do now is weigh up the options available in the summer and fill any loophole thence, which i believe will certainly be done. Though we maybe angry, but let us now regroup and forge on our support. UP GUNNERS!!!
Arteta…pride before a fall….hubris. Arteta did not do his job properly. He will fall from grace….certainly.
Is that your wish? Anyone who wishes Arteta to fail indirectly Arsenal to fail. Are you a gooner?
Why are you recycling this same lip managerial nonsense??? we’ve heard this claptrap for years then proceeded to bring in a whole host of obvious lightweights and lesser lights…either be honest and frank with the fanbase or stop flapping your gums so much and focus on proving yourself through your actions MA
no LIP
We didn’t need anyone in in January for a top 4 position. We need new players in the summer to kick on. The squad is good enough, is the manager?
MA says”We only want the best people and the best players at this club”I’m asking are Turner and Trusty the best we can do??
So true Siamos. Its an old line anyway,which was overused by Wegner to justify lack of action/ambition, who then brought in the likes of Arteta, Park, Xhaka, Elneni and Mustafi to fill in gaps Need I go on. Arteta’s ” best best people” call is even more pathetic. is he looking for a son in law? Trusty who by the way???