Is Cancelo the perfect signing for Arsenal’s defence this summer?

There have been a few links today saying that Arsenal is a possible destination for the Man City defender Joao Cancelo, and I think he could be a great fit for the Gunners.

Arteta coached Cancelo during his time at City and is reportedly interested in signing him as a player who could fit into his tactical system, especially with Kieran Tierney linked with a summer exit and Takehiro Tomiyasu having struggled with injuries in the last 18 months, and in fact the latest forecasts are saying that Tomi could even miss the beginning of next season.

However, it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola would be willing to sell another player to a title rival like Arsenal.

Cancelo was sent on loan to Bayern Munich for the second half of the 2022/23 season after apparently falling out with Guardiola, but he initially struggled to find a place under Julian Nagelsmann but has since become more of a regular under Thomas Tuchel.

Bayern have the option to buy Cancelo for €70m once his loan expires this summer, but they have indicated that this price is too high and is a similar figure that City paid for him many years ago.

City may prefer to sell Cancelo to one of the European clubs keeping an eye on his situation, but they may need to reduce their asking price of £62m in order to do so. Cancelo still has four years left on his contract at City, but Guardiola has a history of selling players he doesn’t see as part of his long-term plans.

Since joining City from Juventus five years ago, Cancelo has made 154 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and registering 22 assists. City fans booed Cancelo when he came on as a substitute during Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final defeat in April, so I can’t see him returning to the Etihad again.

In my eyes, he is very similar tactically speaking to Zinchenko with his ability to switch from defence to midfield, and as he can play on both flanks, he is an ideal man to have as versatile cover anywhere at the back for Arteta.

What do you think?


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11 Comments

  1. He’ll be a great addition, pace, skill and strength,
    Alot of fans don’t want Zaha but I know having Zaha or a fit Calvert Lewis will be great.

    1. longbenark, that’s very nice but what does it have to do with Cancelo. Your comment is on the page relating to Cancelo. However, this may be a quirk in the system because I swear it wasn’t there erlier in the day. Is Admin playing tricks on us. Anyway if you really want to comment on Wilf, I have to restate my opposition to him coming. I’ve said alot about that in the past. Longbenark is a fascinationg name. What does it mean ?

  2. Not a single response to this one Ad Pat ………………until now, and I’m only doing this so that your feelings aren’t hurt. I too have been ignored in the recent past and understand how it can lead to desolation and ultimately heartbreak.
    Anyway Joao Cancelo – what a player. Would be very happy to see him in our colours, but he’ll probably want to go to Spain if he is to leave England. He and Pep must really dislike each other, because I just can’t see how such a prodigious talent can be cast aside like that.
    His departure was one of the reasons City had a defensive blip earlier this season. Can you tell Arteta to capture him please ? (When you return from your luxury yacht in the Bahamas)

    1. Evgunner am just seeing this having been bugged down in the Saliba quagmire.

      He is a top full back , ready made and fits perfectly on how the gaffer wants to play.

      Think he’s more suited to the right back but if he has the same influence to the left as what I know he has on the right he would be perfect.

      Surely he’s more defensively sound than the Ukrainian

      Honestly have never seen him played on the left

      1. G – Can you imagine him with us ? Perfect. As far as I’m concerned he was the best all round FB in the league. Guardiola kept leaving him out of the team earlier this season, as you know, and I couldn’t understand it then, so when he got rid of Joao I was flummoxed. The beginning of my post was a message aimed at Ad Pat. Private joke.

        1. A steady hand certainly a calming influence, he could aid greatly in beating the press Gai speak so often about.

          Not sure how Pep would respond to this though, base on our recent success from city players, this is one player that would definitely strengthen us at the back in defending and building from the back.
          Maybe it could also strain relationship between the two pals.
          The fact he’s now back among the regular will protect his value as well.

          Newcastle bought Trippier from Athletic who is three years older and his impact was instant, maybe we could have a swap with the Citizens involving Tierney since we are not playing the Scottish.

          So yes I can imagine him with us.

          1. Gunsmoke this topic has been re-opened elsewhere by Admin. Please see my message to other contributor. I don’t think Pep would let us have Joao !

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