Laura Woods has been speaking about Arsenal on talkSPORT, after the January transfer window ended in strange fashion for the Gunners.
What’s the story?
Well, Woods decided to highlight five things that went against Arsenal as Mikel Arteta and Edu stumbled their way through the market.
The Gunners failed to make a first-team addition, and actually weakened themselves by terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract.
There was also the failed pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic, who eventually joined Juventus after rejecting a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Woods said: “First of all, Alexander Isak’s Rolls Royce apparently turned up in London and it was near the Emirates, and he was going to sign for Arsenal, people were taking photos… turns out he was just out for dinner with a mate.
“Vlahovic has rejected Arsenal and gone to Juventus, Bruno Guimaraes’ announcement video for Newcastle literally showed newspaper cuttings with headlines ‘Bruno’s on Arsenal’s shortlist’ and ‘Arteta is ready to splash the cash’, that was in his announcement video for Newcastle!
“Aubameyang was exiled from Arsenal for being late, he then turned up early to Barcelona, he took a pay cut and he went on a free. Now Aaron Ramsey has gone to Rangers! The absolute damages that we have been done in this window is too much for my small brain to even comprehend at the moment!”
When you put it like that, the January transfer window of 2022 should be one to forget for the Gunners.
Now, Arteta has an uphill battle on his hands to qualify for the Champions League, with only Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in the centre-forward department.
Arsenal should’ve signed Bruno Guimaraes
Of all the things highlighted by Woods, we think Newcastle getting their hands on Bruno Guimaraes is the biggest issue.
As the Brazilian’s announcement video showed, Arsenal have maintained an interest in him for many years.
However, when he finally ended up on the market, the Gunners were nowhere to be seen as Newcastle sealed a £40m deal.
Arsenal definitely had the money to get him, as The Athletic claimed that significant funds were available to the north Londoners.
In our view, Guimaraes should’ve been a primary target, as Arteta’s midfield department is severely lacking in numbers.
Hopefully, Arsenal can find a marquee midfield addition in the summer to make sure their fans forget all about Newcastle and Guimaraes.
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