Arsenal just moved on from a player who’s barely had a chance in the first team, Charles Sagoe Jr, who only made one appearance for the club.

After a wild summer in 2025, where they brought in eight new signings like Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ebere Eze, Arsenal didn’t really do much in January. No big arrivals, no headline exits.

Despite that summer spending spree, they haven’t exactly cashed in on outgoing players. Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Oleksandr Zinchenko together brought in less than £20 million, pretty underwhelming when you think about it.

Where Arsenal have made good money is actually through their academy. Guys like Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun, and Joe Willock all left for between £20m and £30m each. Since they came through Hale End, that’s basically pure profit.

Now, Charles Sagoe Jr, another academy product, has left the training ground at London Colney. Swedish club Kalmar FF just confirmed they’ve got him on loan. Sagoe Jr made his senior debut back in the 2023/24 League Cup against Brentford, and he was the only youngster to get a debut that season, following Ethan Nwaneri, who’d broken through the year before. But Sagoe Jr, now 21, hasn’t played for Mikel Arteta since.

Since then, he’s had loan spells at Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town and even turned down a call-up from the Liberian national team.

Kalmar’s sporting director, Mats Winblad, said they’ve been tracking Sagoe Jr for ages. He’s already training with them, and they hope he’ll get his first minutes as soon as Saturday, against IFK Norrkoping.

Let’s be honest: Sweden’s Allsvenskan isn’t exactly the highest level in Europe. It ranks below the top leagues in the Czech Republic, Greece, Cyprus, and Scotland. So, Sagoe Jr’s move says something about Arsenal’s recent struggles to develop and keep hold of promising young players.

Just last year, the club lost Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi to Manchester United. Other highly rated youth products, Dan Ballard, Xavier Amaechi, and Reiss Nelson, never quite cemented a regular spot in Arsenal’s first team.

And, in another big change, Per Mertesacker recently stepped down after eight years running the academy.

According to Transfermarkt, Sagoe Jr is valued at €300k. Meanwhile, Arsenal are back in action against Brentford tomorrow.

Mikel Merino just had surgery on his foot after picking up an injury at the end of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United. There’s a decent chance he’ll return before the season wraps up, but he’s got a tough road ahead if he wants to play any part in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biting title race. Arsenal sit six points ahead of Manchester City right now, holding onto the top spot.

Football.London reports that Merino, who got hurt against United, needed surgery and now faces a real sprint to get fit before the campaign ends. He’s 29, with four goals and three assists to his name this season, but he’s looking at about eight weeks off his feet. He’ll still be able to work out in the gym, and there’s some hope he’ll make it back in time, especially with Arsenal chasing their first Premier League title since 2004.

When asked if Merino might play again this season, Arteta didn’t have a definite answer. “Well, we hope so. I don’t know. Obviously, he needs to go through a procedure, which is never always positive. He’s a big player for us. An athlete who has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions. Yeah, that’s a big blow.”

Turns out, Merino’s dealing with a fractured foot, and Arteta called the injury “rare”. “Let’s see. It’s a very rare injury, so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery. How does that react daily? Obviously, monitor it throughout the week for the surgery. I know Mikel is going to do absolutely everything that he possibly can to come back as quickly as possible. But, as well, he has to respect the healing process and the fact that, obviously, it’s an injury that is quite rare.”

Merino’s also hoping to get back before the season ends because he wants a spot in Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

It’s tough luck for a player who was really hitting his stride. Earlier in the season, he told the club website, “Obviously, football is not only about results. It’s the main thing, but when you can enjoy playing with these teammates, it’s just a joy, and I’m enjoying it every time I’m on the pitch. I think everyone is giving their best and enjoying it as well, and that’s the best mix we can have, so performing and enjoying is the magic recipe, so yeah, very happy.”

Merino came in as a midfielder, but he’s turned into a genuine option up front. Arteta’s clearly impressed with how adaptable he is. “Yes, as a striker, certainly not [something he ever dreamt he could do], but that’s the thing as well that you learn when you sign a player – I knew he could offer much more than what he had, and especially after I met him for the first time because a player that has that amount of curiosity, the way he loves his profession and football, it’s difficult to put limits to that.”

Arsenal are still six points clear at the top, but injuries keep piling up. Along with Merino, they’re also missing Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. It’s not making this title chase any easier.