There may be a few curious glances from North London over towards Anfield as Arthur Melo completes his somewhat surprise loan move to Liverpool - though Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will perhaps not be among them.
Juventus midfielder Arthur is set to join Jurgen Klopp's squad for the remainder of the campaign after both clubs agreed on a season-long loan with no buy option included on transfer deadline day. Arthur's move ends Klopp's search for midfield reinforcements after frantically admitting earlier this week that he needed more options.
For Arthur, the switch gives him an opportunity to try and revive his stuttering career as he finally lands his move to the Premier League, months after he looked poised to join Arsenal. The Brazilian came close to sealing a loan move to the Gunners back in January, before again being linked this summer, but it is Liverpool who have swooped in to land his services.
However, Arteta may not be too disappointed at seeing a former target head to Merseyside, given his comments after failing to complete a deal for Arthur earlier this year. Speaking in February after the winter transfer window had closed, Arteta said: "Edu and his team did a fantastic job and they continue to do that.
"We only want the best players and the best people in this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it."
Arsenal have seemingly not made any real attempts to chase Arthur this summer, instead bolstering their midfield with new signing Fabio Vieira. That could be a concern for Klopp, given Liverpool have only made a last-ditch move for the 26-year-old due to a host of injuries.
Will Arthur be a good signing for Liverpool? Have your say in the comments below.
The likelihood is that Arthur will only play a supporting role at Anfield this season, with Klopp having a number of options to choose from ahead of him in the pecking order. That said, Klopp has highlighted the importance of having strength in depth to call upon as Liverpool prepare for the hectic schedule ahead.
As Virgil van Dijk put it: "If you look at the games we play, the amount of games we play, we need a lot of midfielders." Klopp will no doubt have faith in Liverpool's recruitment team, who have delivered numerous successes in the transfer market over recent years, but he may also have some concerns after Liverpool's last attempts at patching up their squad amidst an injury crisis.
Liverpool's squad was left with few defensive options come the January window in the 2020/21 season. Ozan Kabak arrived on loan until the end of the season, along with Ben Davies on a permanent deal, in an attempt to fill the void. Neither player proved to be a hit at Anfield though, with Kabak failing to earn a permanent move while Davies joined Rangers this summer having never played a single game for Liverpool's senior side.
A move for Arthur should be a more low-risk transfer - despite his considerably high wages - given Juventus stumped up £72.5million to sign him back in 2020 and felt he was an adequate replacement for the talented Miralem Pjanic, who went the other way to join Barcelona. Things haven't turned out quite as expected in Turin, though, with Arthur struggling to force his way into regular first team plans under Massimiliano Allegri.
Former boss Andrea Pirlo was also not shy in criticising Arthur, once branding him "pig-headed" after a match against Ferencvaros, before suggesting his player did not have the ability to split opposition defences. Arthur has yet to play for Juventus this season but did rack up 31 appearances in total last season.
With a wealth of competition awaiting him at Liverpool, he faces a battle to force his way into the starting XI but could be a useful option for Klopp as he rotates throughout the season, providing he can meet expectations.
