Despite the absence of a sought-after centre forward, Arsenal has had an impressive summer in the transfer market.
With Andrea Berta leading the recruitment efforts, there’s noticeable momentum in the Gunners’ transfer activities, contrasting Edu’s previous hesitancy.
As the pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres continues, additions like Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke are already enhancing the squad.
Arsenal isn’t finished, with anticipation building around Gyokeres joining the club soon. Additionally, a new centre-back, Cristhian Mosquera, has already completed his media duties in anticipation of his announcement.
Arsenal Aiming to Strengthen Their Attack
This summer, two prominent targets have been Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo. Eze, a former Arsenal academy player, has reportedly agreed to personal terms, though club negotiations with Crystal Palace have yet to commence.
If Eze ultimately makes the switch to the Emirates, it’s likely that his £68m release clause will have been triggered. Meanwhile, with Rodrygo, discussions are expected to linger until late in the transfer window.
Having played only 92 minutes during the summer’s Club World Cup, the Brazilian may be seeking a move from Real Madrid. Arsenal, along with Liverpool, is keen on securing his services. According to reports from Spain, Arsenal is poised to take the lead over Liverpool in this pursuit.
Reports suggest that Arteta sees Rodrygo as a crucial addition to fortify the left flank, prompting them to prepare an €80m (£70m) offer. However, Real Madrid’s asking price stands at €100m (£87m), making acceptance unlikely.
Rodrygo: A Potential Star for Arsenal
While Arsenal’s centre forward position has been a concern for two years, the left-wing role has also shown weaknesses. Gabriel Martinelli scored 15 Premier League goals in 2022/23 but has since struggled to maintain that consistency. Leandro Trossard had a decent season, but inconsistent performances have raised concerns about the attacking lineup.
Reflecting on the past, Arsenal had Alexis Sanchez dominating the left flank. He outperformed both Trossard and Martinelli by a significant margin during his time at the club.
In the 2016/17 season, Sanchez netted 24 Premier League goals and contributed 30 overall, along with 18 assists—numbers not seen from an Arsenal forward since, even from Bukayo Saka.
Rodrygo could be the type of player to restore that left wing excellence. Both he and Sanchez arrived at Arsenal while playing understudy to more prominent stars—Sanchez with Messi and Rodrygo with Mbappe and Vini Jr.
Despite having ups and downs in his career, Rodrygo’s potential is evident, as he scored 19 goals in all competitions during the 2022/23 season and showcases impressive dribbling skills similar to Sanchez. As he develops further, he may yet become an essential figure in Arsenal’s forward line.
