Arsenal Release Four Players On Transfer Deadline Day
January Transfer Window closed 23:00 GMT (12am local time) on February 1 and Arsenal released four players on the deadline day, adding to the nine players earlier released before the deadline day.
Below are the deadline day transfers as announced by the North-London side:
Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal terminated the contract of defender Shkodran Mustafi allowing him to complete his move to Schakle 04. The 28-year-old completed his moved to the German side on February 1 on a free transfer after the gunners agreed to rip up what was left of his contract.
The Germany International’s deal was due to expire during the summer, leaving him fee to hold discussions with foreign clubs ahead of a free transfer.
Thank you and good luck, @MustafiOfficial 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2021
In a statement, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said:
Musti has been a key player for us for a long period of time. He played a very important part in my first season as a manager and I’d like to thank him for his professionalism and for always being ready when called upon. Everybody at Arsenal wishes Musti well at Schakle.
Mustafi follows fellow Arsenal Defender Sead Kolasinac to the German side who are languishing at the bottom of the Bundesliga with eight points from nineteen games as a result of ongoing financial difficulties.
Joe Willock
Arsenal’s Joe Willock joins Newcastle on loan until the end of the season. The 21-year-old midfielder has made 16 appearances for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Opportunities to gain Arsenal first team shirt were limited by the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe and the loan arrival of Martin Odegard.
His last start in the English Premier League was 2-1 home defeat to wolves on November 29.
Good luck at @NUFC, @JoeWillock 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2021
Newcastle Manager, Steve Bruce spoke about Willock’s addition to his team;
I’m delighted to bring Joe to Newcastle until the end of the season. He is a very exciting and Talented young player who can get up and down the pitch and can score a goal from midfield.
The midfielder is one of several players to leave the Emirates on deadline day. Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta spoke good words about Willock saying;
Joe is a young player with great ability who is progressing very well, and we are happy with his continued development. At this moment in his career, Joe needs to be playing regularly. At Newcastle, he is going to a good club with a top-quality manager and staff.
Maitland-Niles
Arsenal FC confirmed that Ainsley Maitland-Niles has left the club to join West Brom on a six-month deal. Southampton were the favourites in getting the 23-year-old, but they lost interest because of the way the negotiations progressed.
All the best at @WBA, @MaitlandNiles 💪
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 1, 2021
Mikel Arteta told the official Arsenal website;
Ainsley is a very talwnted player and we are proud of his hardwork and development with us. This decision to go on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the rest of the season is to support Ainsley and his growth further.
Zach Medley
Arsenal have loaned defender, Zach Medley to Kilmarnock, a Scottish team. Kilmarnock are currently without a manager after parting ways with their manager.
The 20-year-old has been signed as a cover at the back after the Scottish side lost two of their defenders over the weekend to injury.
Do your thing, @ZechMedley ✊ https://t.co/sRVe7shWhX
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) February 1, 2021
The powerful centre-back spent the first half of the season on loan with League one side Gillingham, making eighteen appearances.
Below are other Arsenal outgoings during the January Transfer window:
Sead Kolasinac (Schakle) Loan
William Saliba (Nice) Loan
Danniel Ballard (Blackpool) Loan extension
Matt Macey (Hibernian)
Sokratis (Released)
Mesut Ozil (Fenerbahce)
Matt Smith (Charlton) Loan
Joseph Olowu (Wealdstone) Loan
James Olayinka (Southend).