Arsenal are certainly gambling on their season after falling to bolster Mikel Arteta's playing squad during the January transfer window.

Quiet January

Indeed, the north London giants failed to sign anyone throughout last month but did sanction the departures of no fewer than six different players, including former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who saw his contract cancelled in order to move to Barcelona.

It leaves Arteta light on options and there's a worrying situation emerging upfront as both of his only two remaining strikers - Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah - are out of contract in the summer.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Ainsley Maitland-Niles' loan to AS Roma has left the Gunners one or two injuries away from disaster.

Perhaps the young Spaniard will have to turn to the academy set-up as he often has done. You only have to look at the progression of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to see that.

Midfield option

Next in line could be Charlie Patino, who has been dubbed 'the next big thing', but Arteta may well have another intriguing option for the engine room after Miguel Azeez was recalled from his loan from Portsmouth.

He wasn't loaned out again, which poses the question over whether Arteta sees him as a potential option in the first-team for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign and given his threadbare squad, it wouldn't be a bad idea - especially as there is no opportunity coming in Europe or in the FA Cup.

"One name I’m interested to see what happens is Miguel Azeez. Highly rated and put in some good performances when given the rare opportunity at Portsmouth this season. He’s now back and hasn’t gone out on loan. Another option in central midfield," claimed football.london writer Connor Humm recently.

Azeez has struggled for game time at Fratton Park, starting only four out of 16 league games this term, but is thought to be admired by Arteta, who handed him his senior debut against Dundalk last season.

Once dubbed "phenomenal" by CBS Sports journalist James Benge, the 19-year-old dynamo is said to 'possess excellent technique, which can see him cause real trouble in and around the box. He is known for his impressive final ball, but also has a keen an eye for goal.'

Also likened to Saka, Arteta could well discover Arsenal's next Hale End sensation in Azeez.

AND in other news, Edu dropped huge deadline day howler at Arsenal over 71-cap "technician"...