Spartak Moscow midfielder Kim Kallstrom arrived at Emirates Stadium on loan, but more was needed up front and in defence.

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What the Gunners needed:

A centre back and a striker

Arsenal needed to sign a striker to provide Olivier Giroud with both rest and competition.

The Gunners are after all only one step from having to call upon Nicklas Bendtner – a player who sometimes looks close to fulfilling his potential, but also regularly looks disinterested as his first touch deserts him.

In defence too, they are light, with only Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen available at centre half – though right back Bacary Sagna can move across if necessary, meaning Carl Jenkinson must be called upon at right back.

Who they targeted: 

FC Schalke 04 attacking midfielder Julian Draxler was reportedly the top target, with Arsene Wenger hoping to turn him into a centre forward. By the end of the window, the Gunners had been priced out of a deal, with Wenger apparently believing the 20 year-old’s €45 million (£37m) buyout clause was not good value when he was not yet the finished product.

Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic, veteran Lazio striker Miroslav Klose, and Alvaro Morata of Real Madrid were all linked with moves to provide competition up front, but the Gunners did not bring in a forward. South Korean forward Park Chu Young left the club to sign for Watford on loan.

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