Arsenal have failed to sign a new midfielder to replace Mikel Merino but have added to their ranks on transfer deadline day with signing for the future
22:22, 02 Feb 2026Updated 22:26, 02 Feb 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Arsenal complete another deadline day transfer(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Evan Mooney from Scottish Premiership side St Mirren. The 18-year-old is set to join up with the club's academy
football.london understands that Mooney joins for a £400,000 initial fee with £400,000 available in extras and an undisclosed sell-on included in the deal
Mooney made 23 appearances in all competitions for St Mirren and made his senior debut at the beginning of 2024/25. The forward, who can also playing as an attacking midfielder made his league debut in October 2024 in a defeat to Hearts.
The youngster notably came off the bench in the Scottish League Cup final where St Mirren beat Celtic 3-1 back in December.
Upon announcing the deal, Arsenal said: "Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Evan and welcome him to the club."
All eyes were on whether the Gunners could add a midfielder following Mikel Merino's injury. The correct opportunity did not arrive as the club improved their academy instead.
Questioned about recruiting a new midfielder on deadline day, Arteta 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.
"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."
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Asked if their summer spending would hamper Arsenal's prospects, Arteta added: "We have the responsibility to do that. It is true that we have done certain deals, but nothing different to the top clubs, I don't think.
"We have to see where are the parameters. We have to have the options and then present them and then: is it possible, yes or no?"
He continued: "We are on it. It's just the fact you want to make the right call with the right player because we really want to improve the team if we can. If not, we don't do it."