2 transfers Arsenal failed to complete before January deadline

Arsenal endured a January transfer window of great frustration. It might not have appeared so had Mikel Arteta not publicly stated his desire to sign players before the deadline, though.

Well known was that the club were on the hunt for two particular reinforcements: a midfielder and a striker.

Efforts to sign both Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur failed to materliaise, and while there were no known active targets being eyed up in their stead, it meant Arsenal failed to bolster a squad they heavily depleted with a host of deadwood being moved on.

Six players from the senior setup departed on deals varying from loans to contract terminations and to permanent transfers. Lower down within the club there were a string of other loans sanctioned for academy players, two of whom did not follow suit.

Miguel Azeez and Omar Rekik were two transfers Arsenal failed to complete before January deadline with moves not materialising

Miguel Azeez had spent the first half of the season on loan at League One side Portsmouth where he had struggled to nail down a first team berth prior to being recalled in January. The appearances had began to mount up but they were not sufficient enough for him to stay out on the south coast.

Returning to north London amid a midfield crisis prompted talk of potential involvement with the senior setup, although it was still reported that he would embark on another loan elsewhere. However, no such move materialised and, surprisingly, he has stayed put.

Does that hint towards first team involvement? With four central midfielders and Charlie Patino the next in line after them, not entirely. Equally, for his development he should no longer be playing Under-23 football. So, for whatever reason, the club haven’t reached the right conclusion.

Someone who was edging towards a move elsewhere was Omar Rekik, who was always due to depart on loan in January only for his involvement with Tunisia at AFCON to complicate matters. Nonetheless, following his nation’s exit a deal was being worked on across deadline day for him to move to Championship side Stoke City.

That deal ultimately fell through, although unlike with Azeez, Rekik may now be the fourth choice option under Arteta for his position, centre-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu can fill in centrally but if one of Rob Holding, Gabriel or Benjamin White are unavailable it means a spot opens up in the matchday squad for Rekik to occupy.

Should anyone be confident of him doing a job in the Premier League? Not just yet despite his international recognition and impressive form for the Under-23 side, but the club’s struggle to secure him a loan move could end up being beneficial were injury to strike in a most unwanted of positions.

Even if neither are banging on the senior door right now, they’re better than Under-23 football. And give the events of the window, they might have a chance to show it.