Friday, March 29, 2024

3 departures, 1 arrival and some u-turn’s, exactly what happened at Arsenal on deadline day

It’s been a hectic deadline day at Arsenal – but what exactly has happened? Who has come in, who has left and who is sticking around for at least another four months? Find out below. 

Who has left?

Icelandic goalkeeper Alex Runarsson has left to join Belgian club OH Leuven. Following the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale and the promotion of academy goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, there was clearly no future for Alex at the club – at least for this season. 

Reiss Nelson completed a medical on deadline day before joining Feyenoord on loan. Nelson will extend his contract until 2023 with Arsenal before going out on loan. Hopefully, Reiss can rediscover some form and value with regular minutes this season.

The future of Hector Bellerin has been up in the air for some time, after slipping out of Arsenal’s starting eleven. He has now got his move, albeit temporarily, to Real Betis (his boyhood club), on loan. 

In case you missed it, Arsenal also mutually terminated the contract of Willian yesterday. The club also loaned out academy prospects Miguel Azeez and Jordi Osei-Tutu

Who came in?

It’s been less busy in terms of incoming’s at the club today. Arsenal did most of their business in advance of deadline day. However, one deal did come out of the blue in the morning. 

That is the £16million deal for Japanese full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Bologna defender is a highly-rated 6ft 2’ player, capable of playing at both central defence and right back. It was confirmed by Arsenal 15 minutes before the deadline. 

Who is staying?

In a massive deadline day u-turn, Arsenal decided to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the club. This is following ‘clear the air’ talks between boss Mikel Arteta and Maitland-Niles today according to Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail. 

Eddie Nketiah was widely linked with a move to Crystal Palace, but nothing has materialised and the English forward will be staying and competing with Aubameyang, Lacazette and Balogun for a starting spot upfront. 

There is no deal for Sead Kolasinac today, but Arsenal may be willing to terminate his contract after today, allowing him to sign elsewhere as a free agent.

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