Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu raised some eyebrows in January after deciding against bringing any new faces through the door, that's despite the noticeable departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
It left the squad looking thin in certain areas such as central midfield and striker, with a number of players participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. Folarin Balogun also joined Middlesbrough on loan, leaving just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as the only senior striking options.
Arsenal were understood to have been pursuing deals for Arthur Melo and Dusan Vlahovic, but agreements for either player were not found with the latter eventually completing a move to Juventus.
