Arteta insists he was 'solution' in Aubameyang's Arsenal exit
Mikel Arteta’s latest comments on the January transfer window suggests that Arsenal could be set for an exciting summer. The Gunners were unexpectedly quiet when it came to new arrivals last month, only bringing in MLS star Auston Trusty, who returned to the US on loan.
They were fare busier in terms of outgoings, with a total of six members of Arteta’s squad being moved on.
But that turnover has left the Gunners looking short in key areas, particularly in their forward line after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was allowed to leave without being replaced.
Arteta will only be able to utilise a group of 21 players for the final months of the season, which looks to put Arsenal at a disadvantage.
The Gunners are currently embroiled in a four-way battle to claim the final Champions League spot against Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham.
They currently sit sixth in the Premier League, four points behind West Ham, though they do have three games in hand on the Hammers.
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Arsenal failed to make an impactful signing in January (Image: Express Sport)
The Spaniard has insisted that the Gunners’ recruitment team will continue to only target the top players.
And he also believes that the time period that the window will be open for in the summer will allow sporting director Edu to scout more high-quality players.
“We did what we believed was the right thing to do. The squad composition and contracts were catching up, be fair with players who haven’t had a lot of minutes,” he said.
“We had a clear plan of what we can do but then it has to be doable. Edu and his team have done a great job.
Arteta will hope to replicate last summer when Martin Odegaard among others arrived (Image: Getty Images)
“We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones we didn’t do it.”
Arsenal will only need to look to last summer as a basis for how to conduct their business when the end of the season comes.
The Gunners significantly boosted their squad with the additions of Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard and Takehiro Tomiyasu among others.
Arteta will hope that the less hurried nature of the summer window will allow his club to replicate that successful business once again.