Arsenal: 4 winners of January transfer window

2. Albert Sambi Lokonga

Arsenal pushed hard to sign Arthur from Juventus in January. He was the sole midfield target that the club wanted to acquire to complement their options in that department, with The Old Lady’s sporting director even meeting with Edu at London Colney to try and finalise a deal.

Edu succumbed to their demands of an 18-month loan deal, one the Arsenal hierarchy fortunately pulled the plug on it.

They didn’t go in for anyone else – including Bruno Guimaraes – to leave them with four central midfielders for the rest of the campaign. There are no doubts over who the starting pair are going forward.

If Arthur had been brought in it wouldn’t be too optimistic to imagine he’d have filled the third choice slot. Arsenal were willing to cover his full salary for the remainder of the season and, while Albert Sambi Lokonga was a summer investment with an eye on the future, Arthur would have been a short-term fix with an eye on short-term gain.

The entire Arsenal world is crossing all its fingers and toes that Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey can stay injury (and suspension) free through to May, but in the case of any absence or just as a late substitution, Sambi can sit in confidence knowing he’s next in line to feature.

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