Arsenal have spent a lot of money in building a team worthy of securing the Premier League title, but sometimes their transfer windows don’t go exactly to plan.
Having missed out on some big names in the past who could’ve made a big difference in their title run-ins of late, there is now a growing list of players that will have manager Mikel Arteta wondering “what if?”.
"World-class" Arsenal player in pre-summer talks to leave with deal close
This looks like his final season at the Emirates.
ByEmilio GalantiniFeb 5, 2025
Let’s take a look at six players Arteta nearly signed for Arsenal.
1 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray/Napoli
Having finished second in the Premier League for two seasons on the spin, there are going to be questions asked about why the Gunners have been unable to get over the line.
Manchester City proved a striker is not an absolute necessity by winning the title without one in the 2020/21 season, but the north London club’s failure to bring in an out-and-out striker since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure has been a subject of debate.
One forward Arsenal have been linked with for quite some time is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, with reports detailing that they even turned down a chance to sign the Nigerian in the summer.
The Gunners were of the belief the 26-year-old was too expensive at more than £100m, but he has been in and amongst the goals regularly in Turkey this season, with 12 to his name already in the league.
2 Raphinha Barcelona
Arteta may feel Osimhen is the one that got away at striker, and the manager may also have some regrets about missing out on Raphinha in the summer, having been offered the opportunity to sign the 28-year-old for a little over £50m.
After moving to Camp Nou from Leeds United for £55m, the Brazilian forward had a solid, if not spectacular, two seasons in Spain, but he has really kicked on in the current campaign, with 24 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
Rivaldo has even suggested the former Leeds man could be among the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or, saying: “Right now, I don’t see anyone ahead of Lamine [Yamal] and Raphinha in the race to win the Ballon d’Or.
“Raphinha has been scoring goals, giving assists and showing great confidence in the field. He is playing with creativity and determination, which makes him an outstanding candidate for the award.”
It was impossible to predict that Raphinha would suddenly explode this season, but Arsenal may be rueing the missed opportunity to sign the Barcelona star, who they were also heavily linked with before he left Leeds.
3 Ollie Watkins Aston Villa
Continuing the attacking theme is Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who has been a target for quite some time, with the Gunners even considering making a deadline-day move for the England international this winter.
Had the Gunners submitted a satisfactory bid, there is every indication Watkins would’ve been extremely keen, with reports suggesting he was desperate to move to the Emirates Stadium before the deadline.
During his time with Brentford, the 29-year-old even admitted it would be a dream to play for the club he supported growing up one day.
It remains to be seen whether the failure to sign Watkins will be costly in the title race, but his record for Villa over the past few seasons indicates he could’ve been a key difference-maker, netting 19 league goals last season.
4 Benjamin Sesko RB Leipzig
Arteta could reignite his interest in Watkins in the summer, but given that the Villa star is now approaching 30, it may be wiser to bring in a younger option.
As such, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko could fit the bill, having been strongly linked with a move to north London during the January transfer window, although ultimately, a deal was not possible.
The Gunners were said to be chasing the 21-year-old ahead of the winter market, but the £58m asking price may have been prohibitive.
Reports elsewhere suggest Sesko was Arteta’s priority target, having also attempted to sign the Slovenian last summer, and the Arsenal boss will be hoping a deal is still possible, given that he is rated among “the game’s top young talents” by former Leipzig director Christopher Vivell.
An out-and-out striker could be required if the Gunners are to stand any chance of hunting down Liverpool this season, and Sesko is exactly that, with Vivell also lauding him as a “real goalscorer”.
5 Alexander Isak Newcastle United
Although Sesko is highly rated, signing him would be a gamble given that he is yet to prove himself at the highest level, unlike Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who has become the Magpies’ talisman since arriving from Real Sociedad.
The Sweden international was said to be among Arsenal’s priority striker targets in January, but they were ultimately unable to get a deal done, having also missed out in 2022 before he moved to St James’ Park.
Arteta’s side have come up just short in the Premier League in the past two seasons, finishing two points behind City last term, and there is no doubt some additional attacking firepower could’ve swung things in their favour.
As such, the Gunners should continue to monitor Isak’s contract developments between now and the end of the season to ensure they do not miss out on another opportunity to sign the “world-class” finisher.
6 Moises Caicedo Chelsea
While the lack of a ‘true’ striker could pose issues for Arsenal during the remainder of the current campaign, they have also previously missed out on midfield signings who could’ve changed their season.
The north Londoners submitted a £70m bid for Moises Caicedo near the end of the winter transfer window in 2023, which was rejected, before the central midfielder signed for Chelsea.
It would be fair to say Caicedo didn’t exactly hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, but he has since become a key player for the Blues, ranked among their best-performing players in the Premier League this season, as per WhoScored.
Eventually, Arteta rectified his midfield issues by signing Declan Rice, and very few Arsenal fans would swap the Englishman for the Ecuadorian, but the Chelsea man could’ve shored up the backline in the 2022/23 campaign.
The Gunners ended up finishing five points behind City that season, conceding three goals against both Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton during the title run-in – something a top defensive midfielder could’ve prevented.
Arsenal’s year-on-year development is a testament to the fact they have recruited very well under Arteta, but the Spaniard may feel his side could’ve won more silverware if they hadn’t missed out on some of the players on this list.