The most well-known managerial simulation in the world projects how Mikel Arteta and Arsenal might use the January transfer window.
The Gunners’ management supported manager Michael Arteta as he brought four new players into his squad and finalized the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya, who had previously spent the previous season on loan at the Emirates Stadium, following the team’s defeats to Manchester City in the previous two seasons.
Just hours before the window closed, England winger Raheem Sterling, who had joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea, made the quick trek across London to become the penultimate acquisition of the window.
There have been departures, with players like Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, and Emile Smith-Rowe heading to new pastures. But what else might happen when the transfer window opens in January? It will likely be a crucial period of the Gunners season as they look to succeed on several fronts.
We launched Football Manager 2024, utilized the editor to obtain Arteta’s current team, and let the most well-liked management simulation in the world forecast what could happen in January.
After adding just two new players to his roster during the window, Mikel Arteta decided to prioritize quality over quantity. The manager of the Gunners had to reassess his options in the middle of the park due to the losses of two midfield players (more on those in a moment), and he did so by spending £40 million to sign Joao Gomes of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The nine-time Brazil international’s £14 million move to the Molineux club came in January 2023, but Arteta decided to move since he has established himself as a significant player in the Premier League. There is still a perception that Arsenal needs a more natural goal scorer if Arteta’s team is to advance and win the Premier League, even with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the lineup.
The virtual manager of the Gunners acknowledged this weakness and paid almost £62 million to acquire Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, who turned down an opportunity to sign with Arsenal after being courted by Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Chelsea.
Two players who were approaching the last six months of their contracts left the Emirates Stadium, making them the primary departures from Arteta’s midfield. It should come as no surprise that both players chose the profitable path that so many other players have chosen recently—moving to Saudi Pro League teams.
First, after the two clubs agreed on a £10 million cost, Italy international Jorginho joined Al-Hilal alongside players like Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves. After spending £13 million to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq, fellow player Thomas Partey will join him in the Pro League.
Both players left Arsenal, but they weren’t the only ones: Leandro Trossard signed a £32 million contract to join Inter Milan, while Kieran Tierney returned to his old team Celtic on loan until the end of the season. Perhaps more importantly, the Gunners managed to hold onto both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka despite both players turning down sizable bids from La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid.
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