Deadline Day: Five Times Arsenal Grabbed a Deadline Day Deal

It's been a quiet month in this transfer window, with clubs including Arsenal, restricted to minimal movement by Financial Fair Play. Usually there is at least a tenuous link to get our teeth stuck into, but with Mikel Arteta stating that the club would not be entering the market, the traditional transfer deadline day hope has been all but extinguished. 

Arsenal have previously made a number of signings in the Winter transfer window, with several coming on deadline day itself. So while we can't look forward to an exciting new signing to bolster the squad, we can reminisce about some of the hits and indeed misses that deadline day has brought us over the years. 

Andrey Arshavin

The diminutive Russian shot to fame following a stellar performance at Euro 2008. It prompted a number of clubs to stand up and take note, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur keen on his acquisition. His signing didn't come without its complications though, with the official confirmation not coming in until nearly 24 hours after the transfer window had slammed shut. 

Completed for a then club-record fee of £15million, the deal was under threat following a snow storm that had grounded the country to a halt. With this in mind, the FA offered an element of leeway for the formal documentation to be submitted, resulting in the late announcement. 

Arshavin went on to score 31 goals across 143 appearances, with most remembering him for his four goals at Anfield and his winner over Barcelona in the Champions League. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang

Notable for being the last ever signing sanctioned by Arsene Wenger, Aubameyang arrived at the club on deadline day in 2018 for a then club-record fee of £60million. The Gabon International had been heavily linked with the club throughout the transfer window, with many spotting a transfer hint when the club announced the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The deal itself formed a transfer triangle between Arsenal, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. The German side had refused to sanction the deal unless they signed a replacement, and had highlighted Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi as their primary target. Chelsea meanwhile would not let him leave the club unless they themselves brought in a replacement, with Olivier Giroud of Arsenal being their preferred option. This prompted a transfer merry-go-round that took the deal right to the wire.

Aubamayang continued his prolific goal-scoring throughout much of his Arsenal career, scoring 92 times and captaining them to the FA Cup in 2020. In 2022, he left the club under a cloud following a falling out with manager Mikel Arteta and a free transfer to Barcelona was eventually sanctioned. He would later return to the Premier League with Chelsea. 

Denis Suarez

A signing that many would be forgiven for forgetting, Denis Suarez arrived at the club on loan from Barcelona in 2019. The attacking midfielder had previously played under then Arsenal Head Coach Unai Emery at Villarreal. The Spaniard was expected to help raise Arsenal's attacking output, but his influence was ultimately curtailed by a groin injury that restricted him to just six appearances during his time in North London. 

Suarez returned to Barcelona and signed for Celta Vigo, where he spent four years before leaving on loan to join Espanyol following a public feud with Celta Vigo president, Carlos Mourino. Espanyol had agreed to sign Suarez permanently should they avoid relegation, but after they failed to do so, he re-signed for Villarreal at the start of the 2023 season on a three year deal.

Kim Kallstrom

Arsenal announced the signing of Kim Kallstrom on loan until the end of the season from Spartak Moscow in January 2014. His signing is memorable and significant for one simple fact, and that was that Arsenal had signed him knowing that he had a broken back. Arriving as an experienced player well known across Europe, the Swedish midfielder was signed ironically to cover an injury crisis caused by the absence of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini. 

Following his medical, the issue was revealed and Arsenal were left with two options; sign an injured player, or sign no one at all. Arsenal opted for the former, and Kallstrom continued his rehabilitation at the club. He went on to make his debut in March, and famously came on in the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan Athletic, where he scored a crucial penalty in the deciding shoot-out. He went on to make his only start for the club three days later in a 3-1 win over West Ham United. 

Although Arsenal went on to win the FA Cup against Hull City that season, Kallstrom was not included in the match-day squad, and it was shortly revealed that Arsenal would not be signing him permanently and he would be returning to his parent club.

Jorginho

Arsenal's most recent January recruit, Jorginho joined on an 18-month contract from Chelsea in 2023 for a reported fee of £12million. The Gunners had enquired about he availability of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo but had their interest rebuffed by the Seagulls. Instead, choosing to ultimately hold off until the Summer to recruit Declan Rice, Jorginho was identified as a short-term solution. 

Deputising for the injured Thomas Partey, his undoubted highlight came in the 4-2 victory at Villa Park over Aston Villa, where his stoppage time shot forced an own goal by Emi Martinez. His first official goal for the club came in the 6-0 win over RC Lens in the Champions League this season, when he notched a late penalty. 

The Italian has endeared himself to the Emirates faithful, and despite an uncharacteristic error in the North London Derby, has proven himself to be a reliable deputy in Arsenal's midfield.