The January Transfer Window: Not What We Expected, Mostly

 I think everyone expected Cedric to go to Fulham, where he'll launch cross after cross at Mitrovic, to the latter's delight.  It's a loan, but he's not coming back.  I did not think we'd loan out Sambi Lokonga, a player I like and one who's done OK deputizing for Xhaka or Partey in midfield.  He will, I think, do well at Palace, and either return (unlikely) or be sold in the summer.  Marquinhos desperately needs minutes in a first team, and he will probably get them for Norwich in the Championship.  He will be back, assuming he develops as expected.

The incomings were unexpected by the fanbase.  Jakub Kiwior fits the Arteta mold for a defender, young (22), versatile, left-footed (Gabriel was our only natural left CB), with good dribbling and distribution skills.  But no one knew we wanted him.  Leandro Trossard is 28 and at the peak of his powers.  He's already contributed and I love that move.  He was definitely the backup plan after we missed out on Mudryk, but at $50M less I really like this one.  Speaking of cheap Plan Bs, Jorginho was over $60M cheaper than Moises Caicedo, whom Brighton was not going to sell anyway.  The supporters are grumbling about us buying another old Chelsea castoff, but at 31 the Brazilian/Italian can perform for the 18 months that we have him under contract.  He's not a one-for-one replacement for Partey, but he does some things better and has loads of top level experience.  So Partey can be rested occasionally, and Jorginho can be slotted in if Partey's injured.  Our top four bid was scuppered last spring largely because Partey missed a lot of games.  Of course, Elneny is out for the season with a knee problem/operation.  I would have liked to keep Lokonga, but Arteta had no confidence in him so he wasn't going to get a lot of important minutes anyway.

All in all, I'm happy.  We have more firepower in Trossard and a quality #6 in Jorginho.  Kiwior solidifies the defensive base.  Fingers crossed that Smith-Rowe stays healthy and regains the stellar form he had early on last season.  Eddie Nketieh is leading the line better than almost anyone expected.  If Jesus can rise again, so much the better.  Like any other team, Arsenal can be hit hard with injuries to key players, but we have some cover at most positions and are playing well.  The season will probably be defined by our remaining league games with Man City.  Four points from them, or maybe even two or three, will see us most of the way to the title.  Losing both would be a blow.