There is little doubt that the January window was a huge missed opportunity for Arsenal. The failure to sign reinforcements in the midfield and the forward line could end up costing the club top four.
Mikel Arteta allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave Arsenal on a free deal, even accepting the need to continue paying a portion of the striker’s wages until the end of the season. Considering the issues behind the scenes culminating in the stripping of the club captaincy and subsequent exit, there can be few regrets about this.
However, the regret stems from the short-sightedness to put faith in Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah to be enough for a side chasing Champions League qualification. Where Arsenal’s main rivals have access to Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
READ MORE: Three things that could happen to Arsenal if Erling Haaland signs for Manchester City
There were strikers who moved and were open to moving in the winter that Arsenal instead decided not to make their own moves for. All of the forwards have since scored for their new, or existing teams since the close of the window.
Alexander Isak was the clear candidate after Arsenal failed with their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic. The Swedish international however was not gettable without paying the £74 million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.
In fairness, considering Isak has scored just once since the close of the window this is not a regretful decision. The money invested in Isak however fails in comparison to some of the other options.
Burnley signed Wout Weghorst in the winter window from Wolfsburg. Off the back of scoring six goals in the Bundesliga prior to his switch, more than Lacazette has managed all campaign, he has added a further two.
This may not seem too impressive but considering he has been limited to just 14 shots, with a 2.57 xG, the opportunities have hardly fallen kindly to the Netherlands international. In an Arsenal team with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli providing service, this would surely have been higher.
The same can be said for Arthur Cabral. The Brazilian moved from Basel to Fiorentina and has also scored twice since his arrival. He has been competing with fellow January signing Krzysztof Piatek. The Pole has scored three goals as the pair attempt to fill the void left by Vlahovic.
Cabral scored a notable winner against Napoli recently. Giving La Viola a 3-1 lead at the time after a brilliant run on the left flank, cut inside and finished beautifully by curling a finessed effort around the keeper.
Alvaro Morata was touted with a move to Barcelona in January but, despite Vlahovic’s arrival, remained in Turin. He has scored three goals and added three assists to Juve’s fightback in the top four race. Vlahovic’s numbers have been far from his levels with Fiorentina and the Spaniard's presence has been welcome.
Had Arsenal moved for the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid striker, he surely would have offered more than their current crop of forwards. His experience too would have been valuable to the group.
Arsenal missed out on the reinforcements needed to solidify their challenge. It is no surprise Spurs have become the favourites since winter after adding both Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur to the squad. One team strengthened, the other weakened themselves, it makes complete sense and the blame falls on the decision-makers at the club.
