Latest Arsenal transfer news as Mikel Arteta gives an update ahead of the end of the window with his side linked with a shock move for Newcastle's Sandro Tonali
14:19, 02 Feb 2026Updated 14:35, 02 Feb 2026
Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's 4-0 win at Leeds United
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Mikel Arteta has given an Arsenal transfer update on deadline day(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has offered an intriguing Arsenal transfer deadline day verdict after losing Mikel Merino to injury. The Gunners have been scouring the market for a midfielder since early last week after learning that he would require surgery on a foot injury.
A club statement over the weekend read: "Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game against Manchester United on January 25, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed Mikel Merino has a bone injury in his right foot.
"Mikel will have surgery in the coming days and will then begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme.
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"Mikel is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season. Everyone is fully focused on supporting Mikel to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible."
On potential movement after that blow, the Arsenal boss said: "Of course. I mean, when you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available. And if we don't, we keep what we have.
"At this level, especially for four months, you have to be a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That's not easy. But if it were easy, we wouldn't be here. So, we need to find solutions and try."
Giving an injury update on the Spaniard, Arteta added: "He needs to go through a procedure which is never positive. He is a big player for us. It's a big blow. Yes [It's a fracture].
"Let's see, it's a very rare injury. We will have to keep monitoring it."
Recalling Ethan Nwaneri from his loan Marseille was suggested, but that is not an option for the Gunners. Links to Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali subsequently arose, but that looks extremely unlikely.
Ruben Neves also emerged as an option but that is another deal not expected to go through with the midfielder set to sign a new contract at Al Hilal.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal looks on
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Bukayo Saka picked up an injury over the weekend in the warm up before the clash with Leeds United(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
Potential signings in attack also looked possible after Bukayo Saka also suffered an injury in the last week, but there is much more strength in depth there and it does look far less serious which makes it unlikely Arsenal look to sign an attacker.
On Saka, Arteta said: "We have to wait. Today he was better, but we have to see how he responds and make a decision.
"It doesn't look like something too serious, whether he's available for tomorrow or the weekend we will see."
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Noni Madueke filled in expertly for Saka at Elland Road as he grabbed a goal and assist in the 4-0 victory over Leeds United. However, the hope will be that he is not out for too long especially with Arsenal - as Arteta rightly points out - still competing in four different competitions.