The January window came and went without Arsenal bolstering the first-team ranks. Truthfully, that was always the plan.
Over the summer, the Gunners spent a shedload on bolstering the squad ahead of a Premier League and Champions League title race.
In came the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi and Co. While some have been mixed success stories, Mikel Arteta now arguably boasts the best squad in Europe. The fact that they sit first domestically and continentally says it all.
Viktor-Gyokeres-Arsenal-Leeds
However, there was very nearly some late drama. Mikel Merino's foot injury - which he requires surgery to fix - means they did look at their options on deadline day. Nothing was forthcoming, not even Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, whom they reportedly held talks to sign.
Tonali would have likely been the biggest move of the winter had that one been completed, but as it happens, Antoine Semenyo's £64m move to Manchester City was the biggest. Jeremy Jacquet, Liverpool's new defensive recruit, also agreed to sign in a £60m deal.
jeremy-jacquet-rennes
That said, the centre-back won't link up with his new teammates until the summer. That transfer is somewhat of a blow for Arsenal who had also been looking at the young Frenchman.
Why Arsenal wanted to sign Jeremy Jacquet
Well, as Como scout Ben Mattinson puts it Jacquet has "the tools to be a top five centre-back in the world". It's very easy to see why the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal were both pursuing his signature in 2026.
The Blues were in talks to acquire him and while the Gunners never went that far, there was admiration for a player who has regularly been compared to William Saliba.
jeremy-jacquet
Like Arsenal's no.2, he was born the same region of France, Bondy, and like Saliba, he's been making waves in Ligue 1 from a young age.
What makes him so special? Well, Jacquet has maturity beyond his years and possesses the same sort of composure and elegance at the back that Arsenal's great centre-back possesses.
They've also both got long strides that not only help with recovery pace but also with tackling. As the aforementioned Mattinson alludes to, the 20-year-old's "slide tackling is exceptional."
Ranking particularly well for metrics such as aerial duels won, he's not just comfortable on the ball and on the ground but he's a monster in the air too. There are not many boxes that the Rennes superstar doesn't tick.
Fortunately for Arsenal, they already have a stable of fine centre-backs.
Arsenal's answer to Jeremy Jacquet
Truth be told, Arteta's backline is in fine fettle even without Jacquet arriving. Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba rank as two of the best centre-backs in the world right now and are, without a doubt, the finest pairing in the land.
Behind them there is some exceptional young talent emerging. Marli Salmon is one of the best young defenders we've seen come through at Hale End in recent years with the teenage centre-half already featuring in the FA Cup and Champions League this season.
There's also Cristian Mosquera, Arsenal's bargain £13m addition who has barely put a foot wrong when deputising for Gabriel and Saliba this term.
Mosquera-Trossard-Arsenal
However, on deadline day, the club added to their ranks by sealing what Fabrizio Romano described as a "massive signing". Arsenal didn't spend the earth to get this one over the line but it's an exciting addition to the academy nonetheless.
Indeed, it was reported late on Monday that the north Londoners had agreed a deal to sign Jaden Dixon from Stoke City. They have paid a fee of just over £3m to get their man and while he will initially link up with the U21s, there is a reason to believe the 18-year-old has what it takes to play first-team football for Arsenal.
After all, this is a young defender who has already played six times for the Stoke senior side and has been heralded as a player with a big future.
Once on the books of Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke's former academy director Gareth Owen spoke of Dixon, saying: "I've probably got a biased opinion about Jaden. I was heavily involved in him coming to the club in the first place when he left Tottenham. It'll be interesting how he handles being an ex-Tottenham player at Arsenal if it does happen."
Jaden-Dixon-Stoke
Owen continued: "However, he's one of the best centre-halves in the country at his age group and England. He has got the ability deserving of being at that level."
So, what makes him so good? Well, Dixon doesn't just possess the ability to play at centre-half like Jacquet, but he's also featured at right-back and left-back in his career. He has also played as a holding midfielder during his days with the Stoke academy.
Dixon - Stoke U18 to first team
Position
Centre-back
Right-back
Left-back
Midfield
Attributes-wise, the teenager is a phenomenal player in possession, just like Jacquet. Some have remarked how the new Arsenal signing is one of the best young ball-playing defenders around, including Arsenal academy expert, Will Balsam, who spoke highly of Dixon after news broke of his arrival.
Balsam took to social media to say: "He looks to be a physical player with a wide passing range and strong ability on the ball."
While Dixon boasts better versatility than Jacquet, they certainly share similar traits with regard to their physical stature and ability on the ball.
Dixon-Stoke
Of course, Liverpool's new big-money signing is far ahead in his development but he is two years older. There is plenty of time for Dixon to hone his craft before potentially making his name in the Arsenal first team in a few years' time.
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