Mikel Arteta ‘angry’ at Arsenal ‘nightmare’ after ‘big name quits for huge money’
Mikel Arteta has been left angry at the Arsenal hierarchy’s lack of action in the January transfer window which has left him short of options.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that a lack of preparation has made the manager’s job “even harder”.
Arsenal failed to complete a single incoming deal during the mid-season window despite a clear priority to sign attacking reinforcements.
An ongoing injury crisis means Arteta has been left with Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri as his only fit attacking players.
Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the rest of the season, as has Gabriel Jesus, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are also dealing with long-term blows.
As a result, they had hoped to strengthen their attacking talents in the mid-season window, but were left short after failing to land key targets.
However, there are concerns that the departure of Edu as the club’s sporting director had a direct impact on the “nightmare” January window.
Edu exit leaves Mikel Arteta and Arsenal scrambling
Edu left Arsenal in November, and is currently on gardening leave ahead of taking up a new role with Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in player recruitment and working alongside elite managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson during over a decade at Man United, questioned the timing of the sporting director’s exit and explained Arsenal were caught out.
“Arteta will be angry at the lack of signings,” he told Football Insider.
“I think something in the background which has never really been explored is why Edu left when he did.
“I know he’s gone with Forest’s chairman and he’s going to be working across his clubs.
“But if you were the top man at Arsenal and you were a major part of building a team who are going to compete for titles, would you want to walk away?
“I don’t doubt he’s been offered a lot of money, but I’m not so sure about that decision.
“Either way, it had a bigger impact on the transfer window than perhaps many at Arsenal expected.
“It’s been a bit of a nightmare for them.
“They’ve now been caught short with the injuries they’ve suffered because there’s a serious lack of depth in attacking areas.
“It’s a hard job, trying to win the Premier League and compete in Europe, but it’s been made even harder for Arteta by the lack of players available.
“So I’m not surprised he’s frustrated at the hierarchy who probably could have done more to support him.”
Mikel Arteta makes summer transfer plan as striker swoop eyed
After missing out on a number of key targets during the January transfer window, Arteta is now set to switch his attention towards additions in the summer.
Attacking reinforcements are still at the top of Arsenal’s list, with a new striker set to be the number-one target as they look to improve upon Havertz’s performances.
Brown told Football Insider on 13 February that Harry Kane has emerged as a shock target for the Gunners, who could hold behind-the-scenes talks before making a move.
Kane has a £54million release clause in his Bayern Munich contract which has led to intense speculation about a potential return to the Premier League.
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