The winter transfer window has closed and Arsenal have not made any signings for the second year running leaving many with questions. Mikel Arteta will certainly be facing some of them during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game with Newcastle.

The mood following the big win over Manchester City was so high, only to be let down again like a balloon being popped by the emptiness of transfer deadline day. Arsenal certainly have their reasons for not investing in either short or long-term signings.

football.london have discussed many of these already. From the financial restrictions to the challenges of the market, however, there was certainly a failure experienced when you consider just how open Mikel Arteta was about the needs he had and how short the team was.

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But what does Arsenal’s inaction this winter mean for the summer’s business? The good news is that financially, the club will certainly be better positioned to act than had they captured Ollie Watkins in a big-money move.

football.london understands that there is confidence in a summer deal for Martin Zubimendi, who would come in and replace the likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, both of whom are expected to leave at the expiration of their contracts at the end of the season.

Yet it will again be the forward line that is of greater focus having failed to bring in a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus during January. The Brazilian has suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament, meaning there is a chance he could be out well into the next season as well.

The club will hope to have a new sporting director in place as opposed to the interim appointment of Jason Ayto, who filled in for Edu Gaspar. Ayto is already facing scrutiny from supporters after failing to help deliver someone in the winter.

There are several candidates including Tomas Rosicky, Roberto Olabe and Luis Campos; but football.london understands it will not be a rushed process and Ayto is also expected to be considered. Whoever is appointed will have the task of landing the dream striker.

Alexander Isak is the dream option for Arteta but should Newcastle qualify for the UEFA Champions League it will be very difficult and expensive to get him from Tyneside. Even if the Magpies fall short this season, they will expect a massive transfer fee as they continue attempts to hold onto the Swedish international.

The other is Benjamin Sesko who remained a target this past window, but RB Leipzig’s determination to keep the Slovenian until at least the summer put off any suitor unwilling to pay an astronomical fee well above his market value. That will be a different story in the summer as Sesko is believed to have a 'gentleman's agreement' with the German club to allow for a transfer should an elite club come in for him.

Then there is Viktor Gyokeres, who is also expected to leave Sporting CP after yet another strong season. However while a player Arsenal have followed, there is thought to be less keenness at this stage from Arsenal in the forward who turns 27 this June and has a €100million (£83.3million) release clause.

Naturally, a lot can change between now and the summer. Where Arsenal will finish and what they potentially might have or might not have won could be a factor, as well as any player sales such as Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fabio Vieira, Leandro Trossard, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson.