Why didn’t Arsenal sign any new players in January?

The Gunners saw six players leave in January, two went out on loan and four left the club as free agents.

Arsenal entered the January transfer window in the thick of a top-four battle in the Premier League.

Spending around €165 million last summer was a bold move. Yet each of their signings proved shrewd additions. They left the Gunners faithful hopeful of more fresh faces to help end the club’s five-year exile from the Champions League.

But instead of big-name signings like Dusan Vlahovic, all they saw was players leave.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari joined Roma and Udinese on loan. Defenders Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac left for Aston Villa and Marseille on free transfers, while goalkeeper Dejan Iliev became a free agent.

Then, to cap it off, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left north London for Barcelona in another free transfer on Monday.

Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang joins Barcelona, done deal and here we go. Contract agreed and now set to be signed by Aubameyang in Barcelona headquarters. Medical successfully completed. 🔵🔴 #FCB

Arsenal will save his huge salary as they wanted. Deal in place. #AFC #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/IZEDCj2Zky

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022

Why didn’t Arsenal sign new players?

Once Mohamed Elneny returns from AFCON, Arsenal will have just 18 senior outfield players. Yes, they only got 17 league games left – but what happens if there are any injuries? Or any positive COVID-19 tests? Such a scenario could hurt their top-four chances.

So why did manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu choose to sit tight?

According to The Athletic, the duo gambled on no January signings to avoid jeopardizing their summer plans.

“Arsenal’s position is that they have a longstanding recruitment plan for the summer,” read a paragraph from the outlet.

“Their intention for January was to explore any possibility to bring forward those deals. Those attempts did not prove successful, but rather than compromise on short-term signings, Arsenal chose to stick to the plan.”

Only time will tell if Arteta and Edu made the right call.

For now, though, attention turns back to the Premier League. Arsenal will be back in action on February 10 away to Wolves at Molineux.