Arsenal spent much of the winter window not particularly active. Who can blame them, either? The Gunners are top of the Premier League and Champions League.
They also had a strong summer, meaning any strong recruitment drive at the Emirates Stadium was not particularly necessary.
However, Mikel Merino's foot injury, which requires surgery, meant that the Gunners did indeed explore their options on transfer deadline day.
Mikel Merino in action for Arsenal
How deadline day played out at Arsenal
News broke early on Monday morning that Arsenal had been in talks with Sandro Tonali's agents over a last-gasp move from Newcastle United.
However, that was quickly rebuffed and the Gunners were forced to look at other options. An enquiry was reportedly lodged regarding Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, but that was one that ultimately didn't happen either.
Sandro Tonali Newcastle
That said, Arteta did seem rather open to trying to do something. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Chelsea, he stated:
"Of course. When you lose a big player [Merino] in the squad, with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to do everything you possibly can to see if there is a player is available. If we don't, we keep what we have.
"At this level, especially for four months, you have to bring a player that has the capacity to adapt immediately and impact the team. That's not easy. If it would be, we wouldn't be here. We need to find solutions and try."
That said, while the north Londoners didn't add any midfielder in the dying stages of the window, they were busy making attempts to sign a batch of young talent to go into the academy.
Arsenal set to seal signing of young winger
Much of the chatter on transfer deadline day revolved around Hearts teenager striker James Wilson. Arsenal held talks over a move but with rivals Tottenham Hotspur also at the table, he actually ended up agreeing a deal to sign for the Lilywhites instead.
James-Wilson-Hearts
As it happens, Arsenal have allegedly got one move over the line. That's according to a couple of different sources, primarily Pete O'Rourke who took to social media on Monday evening to reveal that "Arsenal are set to sign St Mirren winger Evan Mooney".
That came after fellow journalist Raman Bhardwaj revealed that Mooney "is in London" and set to complete his switch. No official confirmation has arrived yet but a deal looks like it's in place. That said, it must be stressed that this is a deal for the academy at first, rather than the first team.
So, who is Mooney? Well, aged 18, he's a right winger by trade and has been making waves in Scottish football with his exciting play down the flanks.
Despite being a teenager, he's already played 23 times for St Mirren, scoring once and registering a solitary assist. So far this term, he's made 15 senior appearances for the Scottish club.
This deal is certainly a surprise but Arsenal have made it their mission of late to bolster the academy ranks. Their interest in the aforementioned Wilson was evidence of that too.
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