Arsenal: Mikel Arteta keen to push aggressive recruitment drive after exciting double transfer | OneFootball

Gunners have used recent windows to bolster their options at youth level and Arteta is keen to continue that approach

Mikel Arteta is keen for Arsenal to continue their push to strengthen at academy level.

The Gunners had a quiet January transfer window, not signing a single first-team player, but they made two additions to the academy on Deadline Day.

Jaden Dixon arrived from Stoke in a deal understood to be worth £500,000, while Scottish forward Evan Mooney joined from St Mirren for an initial £400,000.

Arsenal have been a considerable effort in recent windows to recruit at youth level, adding to the players who have come through the younger ranks at Hale End.

Arteta wants that to remain the case and made it clear to Mooney and Dixon that the pathway to the first team is there if they prove themselves good enough.

"It is obviously part of the plan and we need to continue to reinforce," Arteta said.

"That's the best way. When we bring them early and we know their characters and the pathway is clear, they've been with us in different ways, I think it makes that jump much easier.

"We will continue to try to do that. If they can be in and around the team in the right moments, they will be."

Evan Mooney joined Arsenal on transfer Deadline Day

Arsenal.com

Mooney's arrival followed a particular focus from Arsenal in trying to bring in young strikers.

The club have made unsuccessful attempts to sign Blackburn forward Igor Tyjon and are likely to make another move for the 17-year-old in the summer.

They also kept tabs on Hearts' James Wilson, but decided not to pursue a move for the Scottish teenager and he instead joined Tottenham.

Dixon and Mooney, both 18, were involved with the Arsenal Under-21s side on Friday night against Everton.

Although their pair had first-team experience at their previous clubs, their initial development at Arsenal will be at youth level.