Arsenal miss out on signings and see three players depart as the January transfer window closes.

Arsenal endured a disappointing January transfer window, with Mikel Arteta failing to bring in any new signings.

As expected, deadline day remained quiet, leaving the Gunners without reinforcements despite their strong position in the league, highlighted by a 5-1 win over Manchester City. However, gaps in the squad remain. Strengthening the attack was the club’s priority, and although Arteta publicly acknowledged their search for a forward, no deals materialized. Arsenal will now continue their trophy push without additional firepower.

Gabriel Jesus’ injury at the start of the month ruled him out for the rest of the season, yet despite links to players like Alexander Isak, no signings were completed. A late £60 million bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was submitted, but the Midlands club refused to sell, opting instead to offload Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia.

With no new striker secured, Arsenal are expected to persist with Kai Havertz as their focal point in attack, supported by Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and, once fit, Bukayo Saka. Meanwhile, summer signing Raheem Sterling has yet to make the desired impact. Arteta, however, downplayed the need for transfers, insisting on Sunday that his focus was on overturning Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final deficit, stating, “My focus is that we have the best preparation we can have for Wednesday and that was the only thing I was interested in.”

Regarding departures, Arsenal only allowed players on the fringes to leave. Marquinhos, who struggled for game time, was loaned out to Cruzeiro in Brazil despite injuries in the squad. The most notable exit was young midfielder Ayden Heaven, who joined rivals Manchester United permanently after strong interest from Old Trafford. Meanwhile, defender Josh Robinson became the third departure, securing a move to League One side

Wigan.