Arsenal: 5 huge successes from the January transfer window

2. No risk, high reward

I’ve been talking excessively about this approach to the January transfer window, but I still see it as one of the biggest successes. Sure, maybe we couldn’t make any big signings because we didn’t have the budget. I’m fine with that. Instead, we lined up a bunch of loans to help bolster the club. Loans with options to buy.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Keep in mind that most of our issues have come from injuries. The fullback core is ravaged, at centerback, we’re awaiting Calum Chambers and William Saliba. Those are huge factors that you don’t want to get in the way of any more than you have to.

Thus, the Gunners added Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares. Two unassuming additions who will do exactly what is asked of them with the room to do more. But in both situations, if it proves ineffective, nothing is lost. We just send them back where they came from at the end of the loan. Whoopdee-doo.

That is smart business. It is practical business. And once we see how the team benefits long-term, we will see that this was successful business. And if it wasn’t? Who cares. They were loans. We can make better solutions in the summer if need be.

Finally, the big No. 1.