'We haven't achieved' - Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal's transfer window inactivity | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has admitted feeling "disappointed" over Arsenal's lack of transfer business during the now closed January window.

The Gunners didn't make any new signings, despite going into the mid-season window with an open-ness to consider different opportunities in various parts of the pitch.

Arsenal had heavily scouted centre-back Vitor Reis and met with midfielder Sverre Nypan. But Reis wound up joining Manchester City, while Nypan has delayed his decision until the summer.

The north London side later turned attention to a striker, seeing an offer for Ollie Watkins turned down and not seriously pursuing any other attacking targets, beyond brief interest in Mathys Tel.

"We had a clear intention which is always there is a window open to explore opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it," Arteta explained to reporters on Tuesday.

"We haven't achieved it so we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring in certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well, and I think that we were."

It has been reported that missing out on Reis, having been considered during autumn the most likely club to sign the Brazilian, came down to an internal debate on how best to use the resources available. In light of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus being sidelined through injury, Arteta is said to have questioned whether spending close to £30m on Reis would improved the squad short-term.

The decision was made to go after Watkins, initially putting a £40m offer to Aston Villa that fell short of the asking price for the England international. Any willingness from Villa to sell Watkins was then withdrawn completely once they cashed in on Jhon Duran moving to Al Nassr instead.