Arsenal Scramble For Deadline Signings Amid Injury Crisis

Arsenal’s relentless push for silverware this season has taken a dramatic twist, as the club faces a flurry of transfer activity and injury setbacks just hours before the Premier League’s winter transfer deadline. With the clock ticking toward Monday’s 7pm GMT cutoff, Mikel Arteta’s side is juggling the fallout from Mikel Merino’s suspected broken foot, the permanent departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko, and a rejected bid for teenage sensation Igor Tyjon—all while keeping their eyes firmly on four major competitions.

The Gunners’ midfield suffered a significant blow when Mikel Merino was forced to miss Saturday’s crucial win at Leeds United after sustaining what is feared to be a broken bone in his foot. The Spanish midfielder, who has been a linchpin with six goals and three assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, is now set for a specialist assessment to determine the full extent of his injury. Speaking after the match at Elland Road, Mikel Arteta offered little reassurance to anxious supporters: “He’s got an issue in his foot. It’s a bone that’s giving him some pain, and we have some exams, we need some more specialists to look at it and to see how long he will be out.”

With Merino’s absence potentially stretching into the critical months ahead, Arsenal’s transfer priorities have shifted. The club is actively exploring a last-minute loan signing to bolster midfield depth, with two loan spots still available in their Premier League quota. However, time is tight and the market is fierce. Arteta, who has repeatedly emphasized quality over quantity, faces the challenge of finding a player who can immediately lift the squad without breaking the bank. “The window is there and I mean we are Arsenal and we have to be looking at it, ‘Okay, what do we need?’” Arteta said at the end of December. “And we have to be actively looking and then, whether we can do it or not, that’s a different story.”

One name that has surfaced is Ruben Neves, the experienced Portuguese midfielder currently at Al-Hilal. While Neves has long been admired by Arteta, he appears to be closing in on a new contract with the Saudi Pro League leaders, making a move to North London this window unlikely. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lille talent Ayyoub Bouaddi is on Arsenal’s radar, though any serious pursuit may wait until the summer—unless Merino’s prognosis forces the Gunners’ hand.

Arsenal’s midfield isn’t the only area in flux. The club announced the permanent sale of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Ajax, ending the Ukrainian’s rollercoaster spell in North London. Zinchenko’s loan at Nottingham Forest was terminated by mutual consent, paving the way for a transfer worth just over £1 million—far less than the £30 million Arsenal paid Manchester City in 2022. The move also clears Zinchenko’s substantial £150,000-per-week wages from the books, providing some financial flexibility as the club weighs deadline-day reinforcements.

Zinchenko made 91 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and played a pivotal role in their surprise second-place Premier League finish in 2022–23. His innovative role as an inverting left back injected creativity and unpredictability into Arteta’s system, but persistent calf injuries and defensive frailties gradually limited his contributions. The shift in Arsenal’s attacking focus, coupled with Zinchenko’s fitness struggles, saw his role diminish as the likes of Ben White, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka took center stage on the right flank. Despite his difficulties, Zinchenko’s impact on the club—both on and off the pitch—remains undeniable. As a leader for Ukraine’s national team during a period of intense turmoil back home, he carried immense pressure and responsibility. Arsenal fans and staff alike will hope his fresh start in the Netherlands provides him the stability and success he deserves.

In the midst of these high-profile moves, Arsenal’s search for future stars continues. The club saw a fresh bid—reportedly around £1 million—for 17-year-old Blackburn Rovers forward Igor Tyjon rejected. Tyjon, who made his Championship debut in September 2024 and has represented both Poland and England at youth levels, is attracting attention from across Europe. Polish sides Jagiellonia Bialystok and Rakow Czestochowa, as well as Manchester United, Aston Villa, Atalanta, and German clubs, are all monitoring his situation. While Arsenal initially appeared content to wait until the summer for Tyjon, Merino’s injury and intensifying competition may force their hand for an earlier move. For now, though, Blackburn are holding firm, and it’s unclear whether the Gunners will return with an improved offer before the window slams shut.

Squad depth is now a pressing concern for Arteta as injuries mount. Bukayo Saka was a late scratch from the Leeds United match after pulling up during the warm-up, replaced by Noni Madueke. Youngster Max Dowman remains sidelined, with a potential return penciled in for later this month. With only Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Martin Odegaard available as established midfield options, Arsenal’s ability to compete on multiple fronts will be tested like never before.

Despite these challenges, Arsenal’s ambitions remain sky-high. The club sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League table as of February 1, 2026, with a defining stretch of fixtures looming. The Gunners are preparing for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, holding a slender 3-2 aggregate lead. An FA Cup fourth-round clash with Wigan Athletic awaits, and the team has already stormed into the last 16 of the Champions League after a flawless group stage—eight wins from eight matches. The pressure is on to maintain momentum and capitalize on their strong position, even as injuries and transfer drama swirl around the Emirates.

In the background, Arsenal’s broader transfer strategy continues to evolve. After a summer spending spree of £260.5 million aimed at strengthening squad depth and positional versatility, this winter window has been quieter—until now. The club’s focus on long-term squad building is clear, but the immediate need for reinforcements has never been more urgent. Fans are eager to see how new arrivals and emerging talents will blend with the established core as Arteta’s men chase glory on all fronts.

As the transfer deadline approaches, all eyes remain on North London. Will Arsenal pull off a late coup to offset their mounting injury woes? Can Arteta’s patched-up squad sustain their title charge and deliver the trophies supporters crave? With the stakes higher than ever and the window wide open, the next 24 hours promise plenty of intrigue—and potentially, a few more twists in this remarkable Gunners campaign.