Mikel Arteta has openly expressed his disappointment with Arsenal's lack of activity during the January transfer window, despite the Gunners sitting at the summit of the Premier League table as the winter market closed. The manager's candid remarks highlight ongoing concerns about squad depth that could prove pivotal in the intense title race.
A Familiar Pattern of Frustration
As Arsenal entered transfer deadline day as the team to catch in England's top flight, their winter business—or lack thereof—could significantly influence whether they maintain that coveted position. The club requires little reminder of how detrimental a quiet January can be, needing only to reflect on events from just twelve months ago.
Both Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta recognised that reinforcements were essential during the summer if Arsenal were to mount another serious title challenge. However, the manager appeared acutely aware of these needs even earlier in the campaign.
Last Season's Warning Signs
When Arsenal delivered a stunning 5-1 victory over Manchester City on February 2 last year, they still trailed league leaders Liverpool by six points, having played one match more than Arne Slot's side. Their attacking options looked worryingly limited at that crucial juncture, with Gabriel Jesus sustaining a season-ending injury in January and significant question marks over how quickly Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli would return to peak form following their own lay-offs.
This situation left Kai Havertz with precious little competition for places up front. Arsenal made a belated approach for Aston Villa and England forward Ollie Watkins but couldn't finalise a move—capping off what proved to be a particularly frustrating month for the North London club.
Arteta's Candid Assessment
"We had a clear intention, which is always there when a window opens, to explore opportunities to improve our squad with players who can make an impact," Arteta stated when questioned about the lack of January additions. "We haven't achieved that objective, so we are disappointed in that sense. However, we are also very aware that we only want to bring in a certain kind of player, and we have to maintain discipline with that approach."
The manager was further pressed on whether the quiet end to the window represented Arsenal gambling with their title pursuit. He responded firmly: "It's not a gamble—it's reality. I think we have to face the reality of what we have. We have the players that we have, with some of them currently out on loan."
Arteta elaborated on the structural challenges, noting: "We've never maintained a squad of 35, 40, or 45 players. Many other clubs have 45 players on their lists, but we don't have that size at the moment. That's our current reality. We've had to accomplish so much in recent years, and that's where we find ourselves."
Looking to the Future
"We're going to have to evolve in this area as well," Arteta continued. "We need to develop more players from our academy and ensure those already here are integrated for the longer term. This is permanent, ongoing work that keeps evolving, and we need to remain alert and proactive."
The Consequences of Inaction
Ultimately, we will never know whether the addition of Watkins or a similar target would have been sufficient to help Arsenal close the gap at the top and apply more pressure on Liverpool last season. The situation worsened when Havertz suffered a nightmare injury while the Gunners were away on a warm-weather training camp in mid-February, sidelining him until the final two matches of the campaign.
By that point, Arteta's team had endured further damaging results, including home defeats to West Ham and Bournemouth. Even the return of Saka and Martinelli—alongside some crucial goals from stand-in striker Mikel Merino—couldn't bridge the growing divide.
Arsenal ultimately finished second in the Premier League, but a significant 10-point gap separated them from champions Liverpool. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain ended the team's Champions League hopes, despite Arteta's depleted squad impressing against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Present Position and Future Concerns
Arsenal find themselves in a stronger position than this time last year, largely due to their summer spending. However, other title contenders have also strengthened their squads, meaning only time will reveal whether history might repeat itself. Arteta's public disappointment serves as a stark reminder that squad depth remains a critical factor in sustaining a Premier League title challenge across the entire season.
