Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta defends Arsenal transfer strategy

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 February 2022

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta defends the club's transfer strategy after the Gunners failed to make any big-name signings in the January window.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club's transfer strategy after a quiet January window.

The Gunners terminated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract to allow the striker to leave on a free transfer to Barcelona, while also shipping out Sead Kolasinac, Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Calum Chambers and Folarin Balogun.

Arsenal's only arrival of the January window was Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty, with the signing simply down to building relations with another KSE franchise rather than improving the squad.

A lack of January activity has led to widespread criticism of technical director Edu, but Arteta has defended his team for not panic buying in the winter window.

"We did what we believed was the right thing to do. The squad composition and contracts were catching up, to be fair with players who haven't had a lot of minutes," Arteta told reporters at a press conference. "We had a clear plan of what we can do but then it has to be doable.

"Edu and his team have done a great job. We are very clear we only want the best people and the best players at this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons to get a player on board are not the right ones we didn't do it."

Arsenal now only have Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah - both of whom are out of contract in the summer - as their two main options up top for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.