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Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta fails to sign anyone and loses three players

Arsenal were one of several clubs who did not add to their squad in the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta failing to get the attacking reinforcements he craved

[Mikel Arteta repeatedly said Arsenal wanted to sign a striker]

Mikel Arteta repeatedly said Arsenal wanted to sign a striker(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal's January transfer window was a damp squib with boss Mikel Arteta unable to welcome any fresh faces to the squad.

Transfer deadline day was predicted to be a snooze-fest and it lived up to that, with the Gunners failing to seal any new deals. Despite their impressive 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, Arsenal still have gaps in their line-up that need filling.

The main target for the January transfer window was a forward but, even though Arteta openly admitted they were on the hunt, they came up empty-handed. The north London side will now have to soldier on in their trophy chase without any additional firepower.

Gabriel Jesus' early month injury has sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite rumours linking them with Alexander Isak, there's been no progress on any signings and Arteta will have to make do with his existing squad.

A last-minute attempt was made to snap up Aston Villa ace Ollie Watkins with a hefty 60million bid tabled. However, the Midlands outfit chose to hang onto the England star, instead letting Jhon Duran head off to Saudi Arabia, reports the Mirror.

[Manchester United signed Ayden Heaven from Arsenal]

Manchester United signed Ayden Heaven from Arsenal(Image: manchesterunited/Instagram)

It looks like Arsenal will stick with Kai Havertz leading the charge, backed up by the likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and, once he's back in action, Bukayo Saka. Summer recruit Raheem Sterling hasn't quite hit the mark yet.

Arteta was adamant on Sunday that his mind is firmly fixed on the Carabao Cup semi-final turnaround, not on transfer talk. He declared: "My focus is that we have the best preparation we can have for Wednesday and that was the only thing I was interested in."

When it comes to squad shake-ups, Arteta's only given the green light for those who've been warming the bench a bit too much.

Striker Marquinhos couldn't quite make the grade at Arsenal and, even with the squad's injury woes up top, he's been shipped off on loan back in Brazil with Cruzeiro for the rest of the season.

The big headline of the transfer window was Ayden Heaven's switch to rivals Manchester United. Whether the young gun will set the world alight remains to be seen, but the Red Devils were keen to snap him up.

Another youngster, defender Josh Robinson, was the third Gunner to pack his bags this month, making the move to League One's Wigan.

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