Our verdict on the 2022 January transfer window

Our verdict on the 2022 January transfer window

By Jonny Bray
Arsenal may be improving on the pitch, but if January has taught us anything, it’s that the Gunners are still a bit of a mess off it.
Amazon will undoubtedly make a killing chronicling the events of the 2021/22 campaign, and with good reason.
Our best out and out striker is gone, we’ve failed to sign anyone of note ahead of a crucial second half of the season, and we’ve been left without cover in several key positions.
Mikel Arteta has a massive job on his hands to secure Champions League football next season. Still, to be fair to the Spaniard, he’s proven time and time again that he can surprise Arsenal fans.
And all hope isn’t lost yet, as the Gunners still have an exciting and young side.
We also did sign Auston Trusty from Colorado Rapids, and the 23-year-old is a left-sided centre-back who could prove to be a great player for Arsenal down the road.
So, was this January a success in the sense that Arsenal got rid of a lot of dead wood, or has it proven that Arsenal doesn’t have the drawing power for the top players that it once had.
Here’s our verdict on the 2022 January transfer window.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulls a Peter Odemwingie

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang couldn’t wait to get out of North London.
He was photographed giving Barcelona fans a thumbs up before his transfer had even been confirmed.
It was a sad end to a rollercoaster four years in North London for the Gabon international, who will now be expected to produce in front of one of the most demanding home crowds in world football.
It ended appallingly, and there’s no telling where this Arsenal side could finish if it had a fully fit and motivated Aubameyang up top.
But Aubameyang did provide some good memories, and to be honest, we all knew it would end this way the day he signed for the club.
We've heard it said by fans of other clubs, if you sign a player with a bad attitude, don’t act surprised when the player has a bad attitude.
And it was clear from the way he left Borussia Dortmund that the forward wasn't the most loyal player in world football.

Who else left the club?

Harry Clarke added his name to the departures board, joining Hibernian on an 18-month loan deal.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ departure weakens the squad, with the midfielder joining José Mourinho at Roma until the end of the season.
It seems a good call to send Folarin Balogun on loan to Middlesbrough for the rest of the season.
Gunners fans should keep a close eye on the England under-21 international.
He has a bright future in North London, and fans shouldn't be surprised if he lights it up the Championship this season.
Arsenal are also very light at right back.
Chambers and Maitland-Niles both covered the right side of the defence, but both have been sold, leaving them with Takehiro Tomiyasu.They should be fine for now in other positions, but this squad urgently needs investment next summer.
And regardless of the long-term impact of this window, it's fair to say that in the short term it could prove to be disastrous for Arteta.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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