Man Utd and Arsenal fans in full agreement over deadline day transfer business
Arsenal and Manchester United were both active in the January 2023 transfer window, but their lack of activity this time around has left some fans frustrated.
Mikel Arteta's Gunners spent big this time last year, forking out £50m on Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho. It's been far quieter this time around, though, with the £200m spent over the summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber - as well as a loan move for David Raya - remaining their only outlay.
Erik ten Hag's United were restricted to loans this time last year, but the trio of Wout Weghorst, Jack Butland and Marcel Sabitzer added experience to the squad. There has been nothing of the sort this time, though, despite loan exits for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Hannibal Mejbri freeing up space in the squad.
Fans of both teams have been arguing their respective league positions mean they ought to be doing more. At the time of writing, though, it's radio silence from the clubs themselves.
"Every club making signings on deadline day while Yanited are scratching their a***s," one United fan wrote on social media. Another simply pointed out that: "The transfer window has been open the whole month, Manchester United have made 0 signings… the transfer window closes today
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash"Is it not deadline day?, where are the signings?, aren't we ninth??" asked a third. At the same time, one Arsenal fan called on their club to "make a move" while another said: "Deadline day and not a single signing, you should be ashamed".
Supporters weren't just asking for any old signing, but rather pointing to particular targets. "So Arsenal are really going to let the deadline elapse without bringing Ivan Toney to the Emirates? They are not serious about winning the Premier League!!" was one verdict.
Are you happy with your team's January business? Have your say in the comments section
United boss Ten Hag indicated the return of the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro would be equivalent to new players in January. "When the players return and now the luck is a little bit on our side in the matter of injuries then we have five or six new signings in January," said the Dutchman.
Even so, there have been a number of exits with no direct replacements identified. In addition to the Sancho and Hannibal deals, Sergio Reguilon saw his loan cut short and Facundo Pellistri made a deadline day departure on loan.
“Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows," Pellistri's agent Edgardo Lasalvia said ahead of the Uruguay international joining Granada for the remainder of the season. "If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult. Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional.”
While Arsenal haven't made any new additions themselves, there have been fewer outgoings. Those to depart have only been on the fringes of the first team, with Lino Sousa poised to join Aston Villa and Bradley Ibrahim leaving for Hertha Berlin.
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