Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals why they didn’t sign anyone in January
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed why they didn’t sign anyone in January and why he’s upbeat about the top-four finish.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Pablo Mari, and Flo Balogun all went on loan, while Calum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all left permanently.
The incomings, on the other hand, have enraged supporters the most. Despite being associated with Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak, Arthur, and a slew of other players, Auston Trusty was the lone official signing, but the American center-back was quickly loaned out to KSE-owned Colorado Rapids.
This may appear to have worn Arsenal down as the season progresses, but Mikel Arteta insists that his club is still in good shape to challenge for a Champions League spot.
“We have a squad full of enthusiasm and passion, but the right amount of quality and passion as well, which I think is very much needed,” the Spaniard told Arsenal.com.
“We are really looking forward to [the second half of the season].
“We know what the aim is at the end of the season. Where we want to be, it’s high, but I think it’s possible. We’re going to have a really good go in the second half of the season to achieve it.”
The absence of moves in January is partly due to Edu and Josh Kroenke’s new player recruitment approach, which focuses on conducting due diligence to ensure that the players coming in are the correct ones.
As a result, it appears that they will postpone vital business in the center-forward, central midfield, and right-back positions until the summer window, when there will be more room for price discussions.
For the time being, though, Arteta was quick to compliment his six summer signings – Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Martin Odegaard – as well as the process that led to their arrival at the Emirates.
“It was a very thorough process,” the Spaniard said.
“We identified the players that we wanted. For many months we did all the scouting necessary, we had a really clear profile of what we wanted personally and professionally and I think they’ve settled extraordinarily well.
“I think what they’ve done at such a young age, in a new club and the size of this club, I think it’s remarkable.”
As for the remainder of the season, having now been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and with no European football for the first time in a quarter of a century, Arsenal’s clear aim is claiming the final top-four place.
“I’m very confident because I see how much they want it,” the Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
“We have lost points that sometimes shows the maturity that we have in the squad, but at the same time we’ve won some games that is because of the enthusiasm that we have and the energy that they bring to the team.
“So we need to keep maintaining that balance right and give those players confidence. When the players feel supported and that we arrive behind them with no fear, that’s when they really fulfil their capacity. It’s our job to do it.
“I think our fans have been really crucial on that as well because they’ve really felt that they are behind them.”
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