Football Manager 2026 has simulated Arsenal's deadline day, with some intriguing results
Ruben Neves of Portugal looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Portugal and Armenia
Ruben Neves joined Arsenal in our FM26 simulation(Image: (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
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Arsenal are having a stellar season as they battle for a long-awaited Premier League title. Mikel Arteta's side are competing on multiple fronts, with the club eager to end the campaign with at least one major trophy.
The Gunners already boast enviable squad depth after bringing in several expensive summer signings. The club could potentially emerge even stronger for the title run-in with some reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Here we've attempted to predict exactly what Arteta might do by simulating the January transfer window and deadline day on Football Manager 26. Much like in reality, the Gunners are flying high in the Premier League in our simulation.
However, by the time the January window closed, in-game Arsenal were just two points ahead of second-placed Liverpool. So what did the digital version of Arteta do to ensure his side finally clinch the title? Here's what transpired.
Arsenal's 2026 January window simulated
Somewhat surprisingly, it was a very quiet window for Arsenal. The Gunners made just two additions to the squad, choosing not to improve the defence or attack.
Instead, Arteta opted to bolster his midfield by splashing out £10.5million on a Mexico international. His other signing was a free transfer for a midfielder with Premier League pedigree.
Arsenal's deadline day passed without any transfer activity.
Incomings - £10.5million.
Marcel Ruiz (Toluca) - £10.5m
Ruben Neves (Free agent) - Free
An overview of Arsenal's transfer business in our Football Manager 26 January transfer window simulation
An overview of Arsenal's transfer business in our Football Manager 26 simulation(Image: Screenshot/Sports Interactive/football.london)
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Marcel Ruiz completed his switch from Toluca towards the end of the window. The 25-year-old has 11 caps for Mexico in our save and penned a long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Ruiz agreed a deal worth £86k per week, tying him to the club until July 2030. However, the surprise signing of Ruben Neves will cost Arsenal more in weekly wages.
After being released by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, Neves secured a contract worth an eye-watering £135k a week at Arsenal. As a result, he became the second-highest earner among new arrivals to the Premier League during the January window.
Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves
The Portugal midfielder returned to the Premier League(Image: Horvath Tamas/Getty Images)
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Outgoings - £215k
Will Sweet (Bristol City) - £215k
Marcell Washington (Crewe Alexandra) - six-month loan
Gabriel Jesus' future at Arsenal appears safe in our FM26 save. Arteta approved just two departures in January, a loan spell for youngster Marcell Washington and a permanent transfer to Bristol City for Will Sweet.
In our FM save, Jesus makes four substitute appearances, scoring once and providing an assist in the Premier League following his return from the torn ACL that sidelined him from real-life action for 11 months. However, the Brazilian forward's unfortunate injury problems persisted in our FM save, with Jesus suffering a partially torn thigh in training.
Gabriel Jesus' profile and injury history in Football Manager 26
Gabriel Jesus' profile and injury history in Football Manager 26(Image: Screenshot/Sports Interactive/football.london)
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Elsewhere in the simulation, Manchester City spent a combined £130m to bring in former Arsenal player Lucas Torreira from Galatasaray and, interestingly, replicated the real-life signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. City's transfer activity accounted for roughly a third of the league's total £311m net spend.
Torreira's move set City back £60m initially, though this will increase to £80m with add-ons. The biggest transfer outside the Premier League was Raphinha's £69m move from Barcelona to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
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