As Arsenal prepare to host Kairat Almaty in the Champions League league phase at the Emirates Stadium tonight, the club's focus on the pitch contrasts with a relatively quiet transfer window off it. Despite remaining in pole position for the Premier League title despite a recent defeat to Manchester United, the Gunners are not expected to be major players in the remaining days of the January market.
January Window Activity and Academy Movements
Following a summer spending spree of approximately £250 million, Arsenal's most notable deal this month has been the loan departure of young talent Ethan Nwaneri to Marseille. Nwaneri, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season with nine goals across all competitions, had found first-team opportunities limited this term but made an immediate impact in France.
The 19-year-old marked his debut with a goal just 13 minutes into Marseille's crucial 3-1 victory over Ligue 1 rivals Lens at the Stade Velodrome. Playing 58 minutes of the encounter, Nwaneri helped his new side close the gap to within five points of Lens and seven points of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Zinchenko's Impending Departure to Ajax
While significant arrivals appear unlikely this month, one notable departure appears to be gathering pace. According to reports from Voetbal International, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement to terminate Oleksandr Zinchenko's season-long loan at the City Ground.
The Ukraine international has struggled for consistent game time at Forest due to injury issues and managerial changes, prompting interim boss Sean Dyche to remain coy about the player's future earlier this month. The termination agreement now paves the way for Zinchenko to join Dutch giants Ajax on a permanent basis.
The 27-year-old defender is reportedly scheduled to undergo a medical later this week ahead of signing a six-month contract at the Johan Cruijff Arena. With his Arsenal contract set to expire in the summer, this move represents a fresh start for the experienced full-back.
Ajax interim manager Fred Grim expressed optimism about the potential signing, stating: "I hope that [Zinchenko's signing] will take shape soon. At Ajax, we're very busy strengthening our squad. It will have to be finalised in the coming week. In my opinion, there are still some possibilities then."
Academy Players Attracting Loan Interest
Beyond the first-team movements, The Athletic reports that several academy prospects could still depart before the window closes. Harrison Dudziak is said to be attracting interest from Braintree Town for a longer-term loan arrangement, while Maldini Kacurri has reportedly caught the attention of multiple League Two clubs.
These potential moves reflect Arsenal's ongoing strategy of developing young talent through competitive loan spells, even as the senior squad maintains its focus on domestic and European competitions.
