Mikel Arteta makes deadline day vow after denying Arsenal transfer plans have changed

Mikel Arteta has vowed to look for a deadline day signing for Arsenal

It is not uncommon for a match to be played the day before or on transfer deadline day, but Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa was perhaps one of the rarer examples where the stories of both on and off-pitch collide so bluntly. The Gunners have been trying and failing, so far, to land a left winger in addition to Christos Tzolis.

With Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both having left, or leaving in the case of the Brazilian, there is certainly a sense of a lack of options in that area. It is quite clear from Mikel Arteta’s reaction to the question asked about losing both players that there is a desire to strengthen before the 11pm deadline.

“As I said, we are trying to improve the squad, and until tomorrow night we're going to try to do that,” Arteta said. “I've been disconnected from the world for 24 hours, because I think my energy and focus has to be on the match, and I will get back on it now.”

Tzolis, despite his fantastic performance against Coventry City, had a very difficult display. Matty Cash deserves much credit for putting the winger under great pressure, however, Tzolis looked rash and lacking the cutting edge he possessed over a week ago.

FOLLOW OUR FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Arsenal were lacking ideas, sharpness and accuracy in their play in the first half. The introduction of Eberechi Eze at the break changed everything.

There is an irony considering Eze was hooked at half-time in the same fixture last season, and when asked about the game, Arteta said that he had to trust the 28-year-old and that he could tell from his performance that lessons had been learned.

The Spaniard said: “To trust him, and we knew that he could create an action, he created three actions, that he put people almost looking at the goalkeeper, one against one. But, as well, I had to trust him when he made those rotations, especially on the right side, and Cash’s goal. Last year, he lost him; we conceded a goal.

“And this year, I think he learned his lesson, because every time something was happening, he was at it, and I think he helped the team in every way.”

The understanding is that Arsenal have explored a move for Lyon’s Malick Fofana. The Belgian was offered to the club, football.london understands, and the Gunners have responded by considering the player and have tried to better understand the conditions of a move.

After interest in Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez, this no doubt represents a very different type of signing. A lower profile, lower cost but a high ceiling.

The Belgian spent much of last season out with an ankle injury but offers the pace and dribbling lost through Martinelli’s exit. The question mark will be whether he can execute in the final third to a higher standard, or whether it will take him time to find that edge.

That is indeed if Fofana becomes the signing. It would not be the first time that Arteta has spoken openly of wanting to do business - but then the deals aren't done.

But it is evident Eze’s performance has not convinced him that all is well. In fact, he made reference to the potential scenario that could emerge should his side suffer with any injuries even if they have cover.

“It depends if everybody's fit or not,” Arteta said when asked if his side have enough variation in attack. “We can talk about today, but that scenario might change.

“We knew that with Willy [Saliba] out; we had an injury in the back line, we knew we were in big trouble, so we had to do everything.

“And today, Mosquera, he could not continue. So we know that the depth has to be really big when you're fighting for four competitions, in the manner that we play as well. So we're going to try to do that.”

A transfer promise made, if at least at the very minimum, that deadline day will see Arsenal try not to end the window with just these five permanent signings. A sixth could indeed be done before the day is through.

Tom Canton joined football.london as the Arsenal Fan Brand Writer and Presenter before becoming a permanent Arsenal Reporter in 2025. Tom produces plenty of analytical content in addition to breaking stories and is a regular attendee at matches and press conferences. Can also be found on YouTube @TheGoonerTalkTV

Choose Football London as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.