Heading into transfer deadline day for the January window very few would have had Jorginho down as one to watch. Chelsea were seemingly waiting for his contract to roll down meanwhile Italian finances made any payment for him unlikely from Serie A.
Arsenal stepped up to give the final knockings of an eventful window a fitting conclusion. For a club that has been so aligned with recruitment over 18 months Jorginho complimented that.
Although his age and mobility make him an outlier in the squad it fits with the bill of what Mikel Arteta wants. The Spaniard admires players of Jorginho's technical quality and footballing intelligence. Even on a short term deal it makes sense.
READ MORE: Arsenal make huge decision on Mohamed Elneny future after Jorginho transfer confirmation
Before the month it wasn't expected that Leandro Trossard would join either. The Belgian, who's deal at Brighton was set to expire over the summer, could have been picked up in six months for free. Arsenal's failure to secure Mykhailo Mudryk and Trossard's post-World Cup fallout saw things change rapidly though.
Heading into deadline day there wasn't too much afoot for the Gunners though. Trossard and Jakub Kiwior were through the door and Jorginho seemed a formality. However, in another universe the window might have been very different.
Moises Caicedo joins
The one that Arsenal fans really wanted. The Ecuadorian was guarded by Brighton after two bids came in for him in the final week from the Gunners. Chelsea also put one in earlier.
It was always going to be a hard task to convince the Seagulls to part with their midfield star but in an alternate world Arsenal either hit the lofty valuation or Brighton take the money on offer to them and run. The 21-year-old is a transformative player and could have become the biggest coup of the window for Arsenal.
Mykhailo Mudryk loyalty
This may hurt to think about but heading into the window Mudryk was seemingly all but done. He had cemented his admiration to the club with social media posts and negotiations continued throughout the month for him. football.london understood he was as close as ever to joining before Chelsea entered the fray.
Should a structure have been agreed with Shakhtar Donetsk, Mudryk would have fitted in as a star at the Emirates Stadium. His direct style, speed and entertaining directness all make for a wonderful player to watch. In another world he's running down the wing in red instead of blue.
Dusan Vlahovic shock
This is less substance based and more hopeful but the Serbian striker has a lot of noise surrounding him. Given that Juventus are also in their own turmoil it isn't unfeasible to imagine a world in which Vlahovic is subject to a bid and something is done.
The 22-year-old was a target for Arsenal for a snip of his current value before moving to the Old Lady and with Gabriel Jesus' injury he looks to be the real deal and a perfect alternative.
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