Arsenal's Alternative January Transfer Window: The Deals That Might Have Been
Arsenal's January transfer window proved to be a relatively quiet affair for the Premier League leaders, but in an alternate reality, the landscape at the Emirates Stadium could have looked dramatically different. Following significant summer investment, manager Mikel Arteta opted for minimal activity this winter, focusing primarily on departures rather than arrivals.
The Gunners' business centred around loan moves and permanent exits, with young prospect Ethan Nwaneri joining Marseille for the remainder of the season and Oleksandr Zinchenko completing a permanent switch to Ajax. While Arteta appears content with his current squad depth, alternative scenarios could have seen Arsenal strengthen their position further in pursuit of multiple trophies.
The £82 Million Striker Solution
Despite Arsenal's impressive campaign, concerns persist about their over-reliance on set-piece goals. While this represents a tactical strength, it could potentially leave them vulnerable against elite opposition in crucial matches. The acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres has shown promise, but the Swedish striker hasn't yet replicated his prolific Sporting CP form in north London.
This situation might have led Arsenal to consider Julian Alvarez as an alternative January target. The proven Premier League marksman left Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in August 2024 for a substantial £82 million fee and has continued his impressive scoring record in Spain, netting approximately 40 goals in 88 appearances for Los Rojiblancos.
At just 26 years old, the World Cup winner has already accumulated 130 senior career goals across his spells at Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, and River Plate. Alvarez's playing style presents a sharp contrast to Gyokeres, offering more instinctive finishing in open play while being accustomed to operating in two-striker formations that could complement the Swede's physical link-up play.
Such a move would have required significant tactical adjustments from Arteta, potentially shifting to accommodate both strikers in a system that maximises their complementary strengths. Reports suggested Arsenal were considering using players as makeweights in any potential deal, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli mentioned as possible bargaining chips to facilitate an Alvarez acquisition while addressing contract renewal uncertainties.
Retaining Ethan Nwaneri's Potential
The loan departure of Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille generated considerable concern among Arsenal supporters last month. The 18-year-old, who has been with the first team for just over a year, has already developed a devoted following convinced he represents the club's long-term future.
These concerns were amplified when Nwaneri scored against Lens in his Ligue 1 debut for Marseille, highlighting arguments that Arteta could have worked harder to create space for the teenager in his squad this season. While Arsenal's transformation when Bukayo Saka is fit and firing is widely acknowledged, Nwaneri is gradually building a case that he could eventually provide quality depth in that role.
One can understand the teenager's desire for regular playing time after managing just six Premier League appearances this season, and Arteta's preference for experienced players in a campaign where Arsenal are genuinely pursuing a quadruple is equally reasonable. However, it remains challenging to accept that Nwaneri, who has shown promise in both wide positions and as a number ten, couldn't have contributed more significantly at the Emirates this campaign.
With recent injuries to players like Mikel Merino serving as reminders of how quickly squad options can diminish, there may come a moment when Arsenal regret sending such a promising talent elsewhere, regardless of his current age and development needs.
Planning for Declan Rice's Long-Term Successor
Regarding squad development and future planning, part of Arsenal's current strategy should focus on preparing for what lies ahead. While the present team competes strongly for multiple trophies, the second phase of their project must concentrate on sustaining success in the long term.
In this context, identifying a potential successor to Declan Rice who can learn from the Englishman while eventually taking over his role should be a priority. Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi could represent an ideal solution, with the 18-year-old already accumulating 80 senior appearances and being heavily linked with a move to north London recently.
This places the French midfielder ahead of Rice's development curve, who had registered approximately 50 first-team appearances for West Ham by his 20th birthday. Similar to his Arsenal counterpart, the 6'1" star operates in a defensively-minded midfield role at Lille but has demonstrated glimpses of greater ball-progression capabilities.
Reports during January suggested Lille might demand around £60 million for Bouaddi's services, a figure consistent with recent Premier League investments in young French talent, including Manchester United's acquisition of his former teammate Leny Yoro and Jeremy Jacquet's impending summer move to Liverpool.
While Arsenal's actual January business remained subdued, these alternative scenarios illustrate how different decisions could have shaped their squad for both immediate challenges and long-term development, balancing between experienced reinforcements and nurturing homegrown talent.
