Few things have gone wrong for Arsenal this season - but news of Mykhaylo Mudryk’s Chelsea transfer was a huge setback.
Mudryk had long been identified as Mikel Arteta’s top target, with the Gunners boss in need of extra attacking firepower. Arsenal had two substantial bids turned down by Shakhtar Donetsk, before their London rivals gazumped them with a whopping £87million offer.
It is understood Stamford Bridge bosses signed off on a deal which will see £62m go straight to the Ukrainian giants, with a further £35m to be paid in add-on fees. Mudryk was paraded as Chelsea player during their win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The win was welcome relief for Blues boss Graham Potter, with his side moving back into the top half - but still 19 points behind the Gunners. Mudryk’s unveiling was the last thing on Arsenal supporters’ minds by the close of play however, with their current crop of stars beating Tottenham 2-0 to move eight points clear at the top of the table.
And with their current standing vindicating Arteta and Sporting Director Edu’s transfer policy, the decision to back away from a Mudryk deal makes more sense. The Times report that Arsenal were unwilling to match Chelsea’s offer this month, knowing the impact it would have on their summer spending.
The current regime at the Emirates have focused their summer spending in the summer windows, often keeping their powder dry at the start of the year. It’s a tactic similar to Manchester United, who are enjoying a rapid rejuvenation of their own.
Like Arsenal, the Red Devils spent big before the start of the new season, furnishing Erik ten Hag’s squad with a host of world class talents including Casemiro.
United chief John Murtough has gone public with his hesitancy over striking January deals, sharing reservations with Arsenal about getting good value for money in the middle of a gruelling campaign.
He said: “As always, the main focus remains on the summer window, and we’re already well under way with our planning for next summer. January is a difficult time to find players that teams are willing to let go. It’s no secret that we’re looking for a new centre-forward.
“We’ll see what’s possible in January, but we only want to bring in players who are good enough, and who will make the squad stronger. We’re not going to sign players for the sake of making signings. You also need to remember that we invested over £200million in the squad last summer.”
Arteta trod a very similar line this weekend, when asked for a response to the disappointing end of the Mudryk transfer saga. "I am happy with the players we have," he told Sky Sports.
"We always try to improve the squad. We have to be consistent with the targets we want. The club is the first one that is trying, but I think as well we have to have some discipline.”
Discipline is something not particularly forthcoming at Chelsea under new owner Todd Boehly, after a mad-cap trolley dash totalling more than £250m in the summer, the Blues have gone again. Along with Mudryk, Benoit Badisahile has signed for ££33.7m, Andrey Santos for £11m and a wildly expensive rental of Joao Felix that looks destined to be a waste of cash.
Arsenal and Manchester United both appear more than happy to be the yin to Chelsea’s yang during the current window.
