Mikel Arteta breaks Arsenal transfer silence after seven January deals collapsed

Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on Arsenal's January transfer window after as many as seven deals collapsed.

The Gunners were unable to add any first-team reinforcements last month as the likes of Dusan Vlahovic slipped out of their grasp.

The north Londoners were in desperate need of a striker, compounded by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit to Barcelona on deadline day.

Arsenal were also looking at a midfielder but were unable to strengthen either position in the winter window.

And Arteta has revealed why they didn't make any signings as he praised sporting director Edu for doing a "fantastic job."

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's match against Wolves, he said: "Edu and his team did a fantastic job and they continue to do that.

"We only want the best players and the best people in this club. When we are in a rush and the reasons are not right for getting a player into the club, we decide not to do it."

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Arsenal courted Vlahovic for the majority of the window, but the Serbian rejected their offer in favour of a move to Juventus.

But he wasn't the only one to say no to the Gunners as six more deals fell through.

Arthur Melo was the club's top target in the middle of the park as Arsenal looked into a loan deal for the Juventus man.

It was looking hopeful at one point after a productive meeting between the player's agent and Edu, with Arthur keen to come on board at the Emirates.

But it collapsed as an agreement could not be reached between the two clubs. Arsenal wanted to take the former Barcelona midfielder on loan for six months, but Juve either wanted an 18-month deal or some form of an option to buy to be included.

Alexander Isak emerged as the number one alternative after Vlahovic's