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As expected Arsenal’s transfer deadline day business was very much focussed on outgoings.
First Portuguese under-21 full-back Nuno Tavares, has joined Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the season. The deal includes an option to buy, with suggestions that, if he meets certain targets, that could be crystallised for a potential fee of £12 million.
Then Rob Holding’s seven year career at the Emirates came to an end when he signed for Crystal Palace for a fee that might be worth up to £4 million.
He made 162 first-team appearances during his time in North London, scoring five goals, winning the FA Cup twice.
However, with the 27 year old down the pecking order until Mikel Arteta there was a recognition he needed to move on if he wanted to play regular first team football.
The last of the senior outgoings was Albert “Sambi” Lokonga who has joined newply promoted Luton Town on a season long loan. He had been heavily linked with a move to Burnley earlier in the wondow, but that move collapsed.
Another player very much on the fringes under Arteta, the midfielder will be hoping to kicjstart his career in new surroundings.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.