Arsenal's Transfer Window Loophole: Premier League Rule Allows Late Oxlade-Chamberlain Signing
Despite the closure of the January transfer window, Arsenal Football Club retains a unique opportunity to bolster their squad with an additional signing, thanks to a specific Premier League regulation. This rule could pave the way for the return of former midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been training with the club in recent months.
The Premier League's Squad Registration Extension
The key to this potential late deal lies in the Premier League's squad registration guidelines. Clubs are required to submit their final 25-man senior squad lists by a designated deadline, which this season falls on Thursday, 5 February. However, if a team leaves any of those 25 slots vacant at the time of submission, they are granted an extension until 26 March to fill those positions.
Currently, Arsenal have utilised only 21 of their available 25 senior spots, leaving four vacancies. Players like Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly are registered as Under-21s, which does not count against the senior limit, further enhancing the club's flexibility.
Oxlade-Chamberlain Emerges as a Short-Term Solution
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who spent six years at Arsenal between 2011 and 2017 before moves to Liverpool and Besiktas, has been without a club since last summer. He has been training with Arsenal's under-21 squad and even participated in a first-team session in late January, building up his fitness.
His potential signing is being considered as a short-term measure to address a significant injury blow. Midfielder Mikel Merino is facing a lengthy absence after sustaining a foot injury in the defeat to Manchester United, which will require surgery, leaving a gap in the squad for the crucial final four months of the season.
Arteta's Cautious Approach to Squad Reinforcement
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the possibility of signing Oxlade-Chamberlain just hours before the transfer deadline, indicating the club is exploring all options. He stated, "Of course. I mean, when you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look."
Arteta emphasised the challenges of finding a suitable replacement, noting, "At this level, especially for four months, you have to be a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That's not easy. But if it were easy, we wouldn't be here. So, we need to find solutions and try." This reflects a pragmatic approach to squad management amid injury crises.
Deadline Day Activity and Squad Movements
While the focus is on a potential late signing, Arsenal were active on deadline day, securing two acquisitions:
- Evan Mooney from St Mirren
- Jaden Dixon from Stoke City
Additionally, the club oversaw several departures to streamline the squad:
- Louie Copley, Ethan Nwaneri, and Will Sweet left on loan deals.
- Maldini Kacurri, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Osman Kamara departed on permanent transfers.
These moves highlight Arsenal's ongoing efforts to balance their roster while maintaining compliance with Premier League regulations.
In summary, Arsenal's strategic use of the Premier League's squad registration rules could enable a late signing, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain positioned as a viable candidate to address immediate squad needs. The club's management continues to assess options carefully as they navigate the complexities of the football calendar.
