Arsenal concluded the transfer window without securing a new striker to spearhead Mikel Arteta’s attack, despite showing interest in several players. The absence of a natural No.9 has already been costly, as missed opportunities proved decisive over two legs against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners had been expected to bolster their forward line, especially after Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury before Christmas and Gabriel Jesus’ ACL setback last month. However, despite making a bid for Ollie Watkins and entering the race for Mathys Tel, no new signing materialized. Whether this decision will prove beneficial remains to be seen.
Here, football.london writers share their thoughts on whether Arsenal made the right call by waiting until the summer or if they should have acted in January.
Josh Holland
When reports surfaced about Arsenal’s bid for Watkins, I had my doubts. While the 29-year-old is in his prime, I remain unconvinced about him as a long-term solution. I believe pursuing Alexander Isak or Benjamin Sesko in the summer would be a wiser approach.
A short-term fix could have been ideal, and Tel’s availability seemed like a well-timed opportunity. However, Bayern Munich’s insistence on an obligation to buy complicated the deal.
There are legitimate concerns over Arsenal’s lack of a clinical striker, but they shouldn’t make a panic buy that doesn’t truly enhance the squad. That being said, they must ensure they address this issue by the end of the summer window.
Amie Wilson
In a perfect scenario, Arsenal would have strengthened their attacking options in January. However, I think they made the right call by not signing a striker for the sake of it. Watkins, in my view, wouldn’t have been the ideal fit for the Gunners.
Waiting until the summer to target a player like Isak makes more sense, as he could be a long-term solution to help Arsenal sustain a title challenge for years.
Had Bayern Munich been open to a straightforward loan for Tel, it might have been a beneficial short-term move. But ultimately, Arsenal’s patience is justified, especially considering their ability to score—evidenced by their five-goal performance against Manchester City.
Matty Hewitt
It may seem odd to say this after a 5-1 victory over a title rival, but Arsenal missed a huge opportunity by not signing a striker. With Liverpool leading the race and potentially extending their advantage, Arsenal cannot afford to let such a chance slip away.
Manchester City will likely return stronger next season under Pep Guardiola. Meanwhile, Financial Sustainability Regulations (PSR) might restrict Arsenal’s spending in the summer, though their bold pursuit of Watkins suggests otherwise.
By letting another transfer window pass without securing a forward, Arsenal’s leadership cannot have many complaints if they fall short in the title race. While there are still goals in the squad, their struggles in key moments have been evident—something Liverpool, as title favorites, have managed to avoid.
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