A deal involving a player called Maldini makes Arsenal’s transfer deadline day sound far more exciting than it was.
In reality, it lacked the fireworks fans were hoping for and Arsenal have taken a big gamble by not signing a new forward.
There was an argument Mikel Arteta’s side needed reinforcements even before injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus - but now they look very light on attacking options.
An injury to Kai Havertz would leave Arsenal without a recognised striker.
Leandro Trossard could fill in there, however he is one of just four options out wide. The other three wingers are Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling.
Nwaneri has been repurposed into an option out wide, which means Arsenal are now a midfielder light. Sterling has started just eight games this season, scoring once.
Such a lack of depth is why Arsenal went into transfer deadline day still trying to bring in a striker.
In the end, the only deal in or out of the club involved teenage centre-back Maldini Kacurri joining League Two side Bromley on loan.
So how did Arsenal get here, given in recent weeks Arteta stressed the need for attacking reinforcements?
Some will point to the fact sporting director Edu resigned in November, however the recruitment team has continued to function since then and Arsenal are in pole position to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer.
The club went into January viewing it as an opportunistic and reactionary window. They were happy with their attacking options, but open to adding to it if the right player came along.
But the situation changed when Jesus suffered a season-ending knee injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United on January 12.
At that point, Arsenal were open to bringing forward summer transfer plans. But their top targets, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, were not available.
Newcastle have no desire to sell Isak. A deal for Sesko in January was viewed as difficult but not impossible at the start of the month. Leipzig ultimately decided he would not be sold until the summer.
A deal for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins looked like a possibility at one stage. There was an issue over his price tag, though, with Arsenal valuing him at close to £40million and Villa nearer to £60m.
Any chance of a transfer was eventually ended by Jhon Duran moving to Al Nassr for £71m. Villa only ever planned to lose one of Duran or Watkins last month.
Arsenal held exploratory talks over a deal for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, who ended up joining Tottenham on loan, but decided against pursuing him as a serious target.
The 19-year-old has started just four games for Bayern this season and not scored a goal.
It can be argued that Arsenal are so light on numbers that Tel would have been a worthy signing, just to offer more depth.
But Arteta was clear in January that he did not simply want “a body”. It had to be someone that could make a difference.
Arsenal’s attack can fire, as they showed on Sunday when they thumped Manchester City 5-1 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to six points.
The schedule is easing now and players will also benefit from some warm-weather training in Dubai this week.
Add in the fact Saka is due back next month, and you can see why there is some optimism about what is to come.
The fear is, though, that more injuries in attack will leave Arsenal so light on options that those who are fit become burnt out.
There will also be huge pressure on the club’s summer transfer window now. Keeping your powder dry in January is all well and good, but only if it proves to be worth the wait.
Arsenal will argue that was the case three years ago, when they let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Barcelona for free.
The club elected not to bring anyone in and instead they waited to sign Jesus in the summer. The following season, Arsenal were unexpected title challengers.
Arsenal have taken a similar gamble now and all eyes will be on the summer.
They missed out on targets last year and have done so again this January.
That cannot afford to happen for the third window in a row.
