Arsenal were busy on transfer deadline day to mixed success as Mikel Arteta went in search of a new midfielder in the final hours of the winter window
Sandro Tonali was the subject of news on transfer deadline day(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Another transfer window has come and gone and Arsenal did not add to their first-team squad for the final push towards a Premier League title. Deals were done but the Gunners will have to make do with the players who were already at their disposal.
Mikel Merino’s foot injury caused some concern and saw Arsenal investigate a late move to find some cover. Their search for the right opportunity did not prove successful, however.
Speaking on Monday, Mikel Arteta acknowledged the club were in the market but knew a deal was not a certainty.
“We need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available. And if we don’t, we keep what we have,” he said.
“At this level, especially for four months, you have to be a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That’s not easy. But if it were easy, we wouldn’t be here. So, we need to find solutions and try.”
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With that said, we take a look at some of the latest Arsenal news.
Tonali truth?
Sandro Tonali’s agent has denied offering the Newcastle star to Arsenal on transfer deadline day to solve the Gunners’ midfield issues. The Italin star was briefly linked with a stunning move to the Emirates on deadline day.
Tonali is highly regarded by Arsenal but both clubs poured cold water on the prospect before it was reported that Arsenal had been offered the chance to sign him by the Italian’s camp.
But now, Tonali’s agent, Giuseppe Riso, has spoken to Sky Italia in an attempt to clear the air. “We never had any conversation with Arsenal,” Riso is quoted as saying.
“Newcastle were never gonna let Tonali leave in January. There’s absolutely nothing into it. We didn’t even talk about it.”
Post-deadline announcement
They left it late but Arsenal officially announced the capture of Evan Mooney from Scottish Premiership outfit St Mirren on Monday night. The new was not released until after the transfer deadline but the 18-year-old arrived and is expected to link up with the club’s academy setup.
It is understood Mooney has joined the club for an initial £400,000 fee with a further £400,000 in add-ons and an undisclosed sell-on clause included in the agreement.
Confirming the transfer, Arsenal stated: “Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Evan and welcome him to the club.”
Arsenal add defender
Not quite as late, but the Gunners added another prospect on transfer deadline day. The Premier League leaders agreed a deal to sign centre-half Jaden Dixon from Stoke City for close to £500,000.
The 18-year-old joins the squad as a highly-regarded talent, with Arsenal having beaten plenty of other interested parties to secure the signing.
Dixon made his debut in the Championship last season and is a right-sided player who has also featured at right-back. Such versatility offers value Mikel Arteta is known to appreciate.
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