Mikel Arteta 'DISAPPOINTED' by Arsenal's lack of January transfer business

Cameron Smith

• 4 Feb 2025 17:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is “disappointed” by the club’s failure to sign a new forward during the January transfer window.

Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have left the Gunners with a threadbare set of attacking options and Arteta openly revealed that he was desperate to sign reinforcements before the end of Deadline Day.

However, Arsenal were unable to finalise a deal for a new forward to the disappointment of their manager.

READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2025 - All the Done Deals

Ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash against Newcastle United on Wednesday, Arteta was asked about the club’s lack of January business.

“We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact,” he told reporters.

“With players injured, we've been impacted and we haven't achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were.

“It's in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve.”

READ MORE: Arsenal eyed late transfer that would have changed everything for Osimhen

Arsenal’s January transfer business

Arsenal failed to sign a single player during the January transfer window, with the club notably unable to finalise a deal for Mathys Tel, despite significant interest in the Bayern Munich youngster.

Meanwhile, Ayden Heaven, Josh Robinson, Marquinhos (loan), Maldini Kacurri (loan) and Brian Okonkwo (loan) all left the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are expected to seriously pursue a new forward this summer and FootballTransfers understands that both Nico Williams and Benjamin Sesko remain key transfer priorities for the Gunners.