- 21 hours ago
Asensio firing, Rashford thriving: Did Arsenal fumble the January transfer window?
Suraj Radia
- 13 Mar 2025 13:00 CDT
- 4 min read
Analysis
Much has been made of Arsenal’s lack of depth in attack over recent weeks and the Gunners may be reflecting on their lack of business in January after seeing some transfer targets thriving elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta has been forced to field players such as Mikel Merino, Kieran Tierney and even Riccardo Calafiori in unfamiliar attacking roles due to the injuries to key stars.
READ MORE: Isak confirmation as Arsenal prepare record-breaking summer window
With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all sidelined with long-term injuries, eyebrows were raised when Arsenal ended the January transfer window without any incomings despite their injury woes.
And the Gunners have lived to regret their situation, having won just two of their last seven games in all competitions and failing to score in three of those matches.
The consensus at the Emirates was that there were no suitable moves for Arsenal to make that would strengthen their squad while also not hinder any future transfer plans.
However, gambles made by rival teams have appeared to provide an instant impact as Arsenal watch their domestic season falter wondering whether more could have been done to avoid disappointment.
How are Arsenal’s January transfer options doing two months later?
The loan market would likely have provided the best solution for Arsenal in January although the club seemingly rejected opportunities to sign players such as Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Randal Kolo Muani, all of whom have found form at their new clubs.
Asensio’s brace for Aston Villa against Club Brugge this week made it seven goals in his last five games after signing from Paris Saint-Germain on loan alongside Rashford, who has four assists since his move from Manchester United.
Compared
Marco Asensio
F (CR), M (C)
Aston Villa
Marco Asensio
F (CR), M (C)
Aston Villa
VS
Marcus Rashford
M, AM (L), F (C)
Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford
M, AM (L), F (C)
Aston Villa
2024/2025
Season Statistics
2024/2025
| 24 | Appearances | 33 |
| 4 | Assists | 7 |
| 9 | Goals | 7 |
| 1210 | Minutes Played | 1960 |
| 31 | Key Passes | 38 |
| 48 | Shots Total | 53 |
Kolo Muani, meanwhile, also netted five times in his first three games for Juventus, although the PSG loanee has failed so score in seven games since, while Mathys Tel has one goal in six matches for Tottenham, having been linked to Arsenal in January.
Arsenal proved in the summer that they are not averse to loan deals in the right situation, having signed Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on favourable financial terms, but the 30-year-old has failed to impress during his time at the club.
STATS
Raheem Sterling
F, AM (R), M (L)
Arsenal
Raheem Sterling
F, AM (R), M (L)
Arsenal
Sterling’s stint proves there are no guarantees with loan signings but Arteta will certainly be grateful of having a body to turn to in a crisis instead of fielding makeshift options as he has had to do due to the lack of a number nine.
Although Arsenal are still in the Champions League, their Premier League title challenge appears to be fading and the presence of an Asensio or a Rashford could have made a difference to the Gunners’ stuttering attack.
With such narrow margins often determining titles, Arsenal will have learned the hard way that transfer gambles can make or break a title push and the need for a superstar forward has never been greater if they wish to make amends this summer.
