Arsenal made the best out of several bad situations this January transfer window, and with more players moving in and out of the club than any winter in recent memory, this month has felt like a whirlwind.

2New Management Doing Well

Sven Mislintat, Arsenal's former Head of Recruitment.
Sven Mislintat, Arsenal’s new Head of Recruitment.

Sven Mislintat’s influence has been made immediately apparent.

His first two marquee signings are players from his previous club, and in January no less.

Perhaps the biggest news is not who he and Ivan Gazidis have brought in, but who they have managed to retain.

Mesut Ozil signing a new contract with Arsenal is incredible. He seemed on his way out, just like Alexis Sanchez. His contributions on the pitch for the next 3.5 seasons will be very valuable.

Equally as valuable is the signal it sends to his teammates and fans: that top class players are still willing to stick around and envision success for Arsenal in the near future.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Huddersfield Town at Emirates Stadium on November 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The players that have left the club in this window are sure to cause fans some emotional pain. Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin, and Theo Walcott have built up nothing but goodwill in the club and with the fans.

But they were Wenger favourites who were only being used on the pitch because of their standing with him.

giroud coquelin debuchy walcott
via @joshjdss

With Wenger no longer completely in charge of transfers, they were promptly escorted out. This shrewd bit of business was best for them and the club, and only happened as a result of the new hierarchy.

Hopefully, the first manager after Arsene Wenger will be as immediately successful as this hire.

The upper management have done their job, now it is up to the players on the pitch.

Next, putting it all together…