Arsenal have confirmed their first exit of the January transfer window, as 20-year-old right-back Josh Robinson has left for Wigan Athletic on a permanent deal.
Robinson had been on the Hale End books since the age of 11 and signed a professional deal with the Gunners in the summer of 2023 after shining at Under-18 level.
The 20-year-old has made Mikel Arteta's bench on four occasions in the Champions League this season, most recently being an unused substitute in the Gunners' 3-0 win over Monaco on December 11.
However, Robinson never made a competitive appearance for the Arsenal first team, and the 2004-born defender is the first out of the Emirates exit door this month, signing a three-and-a-half year contract with Wigan.
"I am very excited to start my journey here. It's a very big Club, and I am looking forward to seeing what the season holds. I just want to hit the ground running, and hopefully do well for the Football Club," Robinson told the official Wigan website.
Meanwhile, Latics boss Shaun Maloney confirmed that the club had been tracking Robinson's progress at Arsenal for a while, adding: "We have been monitoring Josh for quite some time, and I am thrilled that he is now a player for Wigan Athletic.
"Moving here was a significant decision for him, but Josh is both excited and motivated about our vision for the Club in the coming seasons. He is an extremely dedicated defender who excels in one-on-one situations and possesses strengths in attacking areas as well. I look forward to working with Josh to help him and the Club achieve our goals."
All the best in your new adventure, Josh 👊
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) January 1, 2025
Sporting director Gregor Rioch also expressed gratitude to Robinson's former club Arsenal for their "co-operation" in negotiations, saying: "I am really pleased we have been able to bring Josh to Wigan Athletic.
"He is a talented defender, who we believe has great potential for the future. We have been working on this deal for some time and I want to thank Arsenal for their co-operation."
Robinson could make his Wigan debut against Birmingham City on Saturday; the Latics' New Year's Day clash with Huddersfield Town has been postponed, but he was not in contention to play against the Terriers.
Will any other Arsenal players depart in January?
The 20-year-old could be one of a handful of Gunners to seek pastures new over the winter window, a list that also includes left-back Kieran Tierney, now in the final six months of his Emirates deal.
Arsenal will have to entertain bids for the Scotland international this month if they want to avoid losing him on a free transfer in the summer, but it remains to be seen if Arteta is prepared to weaken his defence without a suitable replacement.
Brazilian winger Marquinhos - now back from his loan spell at Fluminense - could also find himself on the chopping block, while fellow youngsters Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Ayden Heaven, the latter of whom is apparently wanted by Manchester United, have been tipped to head elsewhere too.
Arsenal kick off 2025 away to London rivals Brentford on Wednesday evening, where a win or a draw would take them back into second place in the Premier League table above Nottingham Forest.
Ben Knapton
