The winter window promised reinforcements yet delivered frustration as none of Arsenal’s three January arrivals found rhythm during the run in. Brazilian winger Savio joined on loan from Atletico Mineiro amid Libertadores hype but managed only 138 league minutes and no goal involvements, hindered by an ankle sprain on 2 February. The marquee deal, a 45 million pound switch for Japanese striker Ayase Ueda from Feyenoord, also fizzled. Ueda debuted brightly at Brentford but finished scoreless across 11 appearances, with coaches citing adaptation challenges to Arteta’s positional discipline. Meanwhile left back Miguel Gutiérrez arrived from Girona as Zinchenko cover but started just twice, Arteta preferring Jakub Kiwior’s physicality against Premier League wingers. Fans shared annoyance during a March forum, questioning investment in projects instead of proven options mid title race. Edu defended the policy, stressing long term value and Premier League sustainability rules. He acknowledged optics were poor and promised a decisive summer. Despite the limited impact, club insiders note Ueda’s signing spiked merchandise revenue in Japan by 19 percent, hinting at commercial upside. Numbers on spreadsheets rarely placate fans when points slip away, and with Arsenal linked to Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko supporters hope future windows pair upside with immediate influence.
