Arsenal's January transfer window wasn't quite as bustling as many supporters might have anticipated. However, following such substantial summer expenditure, it seemed probable there wouldn't be an extensive number of dealings in north London this past month.

The majority of activity under Mikel Arteta this winter has dealt with departures instead. Ethan Nwaneri left his childhood club to join Marseille for the remainder of the season, while Oleksandr Zinchenko's permanent switch to Ajax was announced on Sunday.

Every indication suggests Arteta and his team are satisfied with the collection of options currently available at the Emirates. Nevertheless, the Premier League leaders potentially could have benefited from additions to strengthen their latest trophy pursuit.

In an alternative scenario, the Gunners might have invested somewhat more lavishly in January to boost their championship hopes. And Mirror Football examines some of the transfers that could have delivered a more fruitful mid-season window.

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Despite all the encouraging factors working in Arsenal's favour this campaign, one can't ignore a particular issue lurking in the background. That being an excessive dependence on set pieces for goals which, while representing a strength in itself, threatens to leave the side vulnerable against a higher calibre of opponents.

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The acquisition of Viktor Gyokeres has begun to show promise, though the Swede still hasn't managed to replicate the goalscoring form fans witnessed when he was at Sporting CP. With this in mind, pursuing a more instinctive finisher in open play might have brought the Gunners to Julian Alvarez's door.

A proven Premier League marksman, Alvarez left Manchester City in August 2024 when Atletico Madrid shelled out £82million for his signature. He's continued to excel in Spain and is netting roughly a goal every two matches for Los Rojiblancos, finding the back of the net 40 times across 88 appearances so far.

Despite being only 26 years old, the World Cup-winner already has 130 senior goals for Atleti, City (36) and River Plate (54). Alvarez's approach contrasts sharply with that of Gyokeres, though he's accustomed to operating in a two-striker formation that could complement the Swede's powerful, link-up play that supporters have grown to value.

This may have demanded a substantial alteration to Arteta's setup, and one that was potentially always improbable in a campaign where things are largely proceeding according to plan. Nevertheless, that's not to imply Arsenal couldn't be even more potent with such a shift, and the squad possesses the midfield personnel to accommodate an engine-room compromise that would result in a greater commitment up front.

According to reports, Arsenal were contemplating players as sweeteners to help enhance any agreement on Atleti's side. To that end, Gabriel Jesus and/or Gabriel Martinelli might have served as perfect makeweights for an acquisition like Alvarez, securing a clinical striker while simultaneously settling the futures of two players who may not rank among the prime contenders for contract renewals.

Nwaneri's loan switch to Marseille was greeted with considerable unease among supporters last month. The 18-year-old has only been a first-team player at Arsenal for slightly more than a year but has already cultivated devoted followers convinced he represents the club's future.

Any feelings of remorse were only amplified further after the youngster netted against Lens in his Ligue 1 bow for Les Olympiens. And it highlighted the argument that Arteta perhaps could have tried somewhat harder to create space for him this term.

It's widely acknowledged Arsenal are a transformed force when Bukayo Saka is healthy and operating at peak performance. It would prove challenging for any side to possess another wing alternative of equal quality in that role, though Nwaneri is gradually constructing the argument that he could eventually be that option.

One can sympathise with the teenager's ambition to depart and secure playing time elsewhere after managing just six Premier League outings this season. It's just as reasonable that Arteta has deemed it appropriate to depend more heavily on experienced stars in a campaign where Arsenal are genuinely pursuing a quadruple.

That said, it's equally challenging to accept that Nwaneri, who has also looked accomplished in a No. 10 position, couldn't have contributed more at the Emirates this campaign. With Mikel Merino's recent injury serving as a reminder of how rapidly choices can diminish, there may shortly be a moment when the Gunners regret dispatching such a prospect elsewhere, irrespective of his age.

Regarding squad depth and rotation, part of Arsenal's brief currently ought to centre on preparing for what lies ahead. While the present team ranks highly in the chase for several trophies, the second phase of the strategy must concentrate on maintaining any achievements in the long term.

In that context, unearthing a Declan Rice alternative who still gives Englishman room to thrive should be paramount. The club could fare much worse than Lille sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has already accumulated 80 senior outings at 18 years of age and has been heavily linked with a switch to north London recently.

This places the Frenchman ahead of Rice, who had registered approximately 50 first-team appearances for West Ham by his 20th birthday. Just like his Arsenal equivalent, the 6'1" star operates in a more defensively minded role at the heart of Lille's midfield but has demonstrated glimpses of a player capable of offering more when progressing the ball.

It was suggested during January that Lille might require a fee of approximately £60m should they opt to part with the player. That corresponds with the sum Manchester United paid for his former colleague, Leny Yoro, as well as Jeremy Jacquet's upcoming summer transfer to Liverpool.