Key Takeaways:
- Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are urgently seeking a new midfielder before the 7pm transfer deadline tonight due to Mikel Merino’s foot injury
- Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and free agent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been linked as possible signings, with the latter training with Arsenal’s under-21s
- Arsenal are negotiating to sign 18-year-old James Wilson from Hearts on an initial loan for their academy, with Tottenham also showing interest
Arteta Sets Sights on Midfield Reinforcements Following Merino Blow
Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that Arsenal face a race against time to secure a new midfielder ahead of the 7pm transfer deadline, after Mikel Merino suffered a broken bone in his foot during last month’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United. The 29-year-old Spanish international is expected to be absent for several months as he requires surgery on the injury.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has not ruled out the Gunners making a Deadline Day move to replace the injured Mikel Merino 😮 pic.twitter.com/UeuZUhe5ut
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) February 2, 2026
Speaking about the club’s response to this setback, Arteta commented: “Of course. When you lose a big player in the squad, with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to do everything you possibly can to see if there is a player is available. If we don’t, we keep what we have.
“At this level, especially for four months, you have to bring a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That’s not easy. If it would be, we wouldn’t be here. We need to find solutions and try.”
Tonali and Oxlade-Chamberlain on Arsenal’s Radar
Reports surfaced earlier today that Arsenal had launched a move for Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, however, Newcastle maintain that no contact has been made by the North Londoners regarding a potential transfer. Despite this, Arsenal have continued to scour the market to identify late opportunities to bolster the squad.
Arteta emphasised that the injury has altered their transfer plans, noting: “We have more depth now but for seven months we haven’t had the depth because we had players out, like a lot of teams. We know the demands and the standards that we need. We need players because we play every two, three days.”
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, currently a free agent, is training with the club’s under-21 side. When asked whether the ex-England international could return to Arsenal, Arteta remarked, “we explore every option”. Should Arsenal pursue Oxlade-Chamberlain, they would not be restricted by the 7pm deadline as he is unattached.
Interest in Young Scottish Striker James Wilson
Beyond immediate first-team reinforcements, Arsenal are also in talks to sign teenage striker James Wilson from Hearts. The 18-year-old is expected to join on an initial loan for the academy, although Tottenham Hotspur are also tracking his situation.
| Potential Targets | Current Status | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sandro Tonali | Newcastle United | No official contact reported by Newcastle |
| Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | Free Agent | Training with Arsenal U21s, not bound by deadline |
| James Wilson | Hearts | Negotiations for initial academy loan, interest from Tottenham |
Urgency Remains with Deadline Approaching
Asked whether he could remain calm if a new signing does not materialise this evening, Arteta responded: “I wouldn’t say relaxed. We are on it. It’s our responsibility when we are playing for what we are playing to give ourselves the best opportunity and chance to look at the market, every option and evaluate them, and then make a decision if we do something if it’s possible.”
Arsenal will continue to evaluate all available options as they look to reinforce their midfield and maintain squad depth heading into the hectic months ahead.
