Sporting director Andrea Berta is steering Arsenal in the right direction.
Gone are the days of chasing a transfer target all summer, only to settle for a plan C option on deadline day.
While most of the attention has centred on Arsenal’s prolonged striker search (the uncertainty around Benjamin Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres), the hunt for a left winger has quietly become a transfer saga in its own right.
Rodrygo enters the frame
In a bid to revitalise Arsenal’s left flank, Mikel Arteta is eager to secure a winger capable of mirroring Bukayo Saka’s influence on the right.
Leroy Sané was one of the early preferences, but he has since moved to Galatasaray. Interest in Nico Williams resurfaced, though the Spaniard opted for Barcelona.
Rodrygo is now believed to be the winger Arsenal are targeting.
While the Gunners are prepared to offer the Brazilian a strong sporting project, he has yet to show clear willingness to make the switch.
Reports suggest the 24-year-old still believes he has something to contribute at the Santiago Bernabéu even though it appears unlikely he will play a prominent role for Real Madrid.
The ambiguity surrounding Rodrygo’s availability will give Arsenal supporters an uneasy sense of déjà vu, recalling last summer’s failed pursuit of Williams and the eventual signing of a faded Raheem Sterling.
Although some may fear a repeat, with links to players such as Jadon Sancho, there is belief that Arsenal are better positioned to avoid missteps.
Rodrygo must decide
According to The Athletic, Arsenal remain confident they can offer Rodrygo an enticing role as a free-roaming left winger.
But while they are ready to act, the onus is now on the player to signal his intent.
Berta and Arteta are unwilling to wait indefinitely.
Arsenal are right to adopt such a stance. If a player lacks the ambition to compete at the Emirates Stadium for Premier League and Champions League honours, he may not belong in this project.
Alternative in Eze
Arsenal have also identified Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as a serious option for the left wing.
Should Rodrygo decline the move, Eze provides a high-ceiling alternative who could still offer Arteta the kind of dynamic, aggressive presence he wants in his attack next season.
What do you think, Gooners? Would Rodrygo or Eze be the better fit?
Daniel O
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Eze all day long.
I will prefer Eze to be honest, because he gives tactical flexibility to the team unlike Rodrygo who’s predominantly winger. Coupled with the fact that he has premier league experience and I guess a little cheaper.
My preference is Rapheal Leao. Will give headaches to defenses same as Saka. But Eze over Rodrygo
All of them are the best, but I will prefer Rodrigo because he can play both wings the left and the right, he can also come in as a number ten at desperate times especially when ravaged by injuries, unlike Eze who can only play as a number ten and a left winger with no one to rest Bukayo Saka. Rodrigo has also a winning mentality, he has won then all.
Eze is 27, Rodrigo is 24
Rodrygo is the better fit for the left wing role in our system. He can also cover for Saka and play central striker. A world class player with loads of experience. But if Arteta and Berta really is aiming for a transformative transfer window, we need a player like Eze as well. Another AM that can cover for Ödegaard or play LM or LW when the team need that. Different players but both very good.
If Arsenal is willing to give a free roaming role to Rodrygo, then why not give the same freedom to G. Martinelli. He is a spirited player with lots of good attributes in his game, he has the nack of finishing which he had displayed in his early days at the club and even now shows that skill as soon as he has a glimpse of scoring opportunity.
But under Arteta he is more concious about his defensive duty and not really 100% commited to unleash his attacking menace which is natural to him.
He appears to be always playing a safe game. And be in the managers good book. Working hard like a work horse always willing to give 100% but in process keeping aside his real talent that is scoring.
Because of being concious about his defensive role he hardly ever appear in positions from where he can finish the ball and score more often.
I feel he is not used in proper manner and if given the freedom to express his true talent he will come up with his Brazilian flair and do wonders for Arsenal.
Eze all day long.
Eze with his EPL experience and versatility – where he can also cover for Oodegard who many times has shown inconsistent form – is the better option.
We should sign both and offload one of Martinelli or Trossard
Both Eze and Rodrygo are exceptional.
From a mentality perspective, they are both well grounded and don’t seem to have massive ego’s. Something that is in Arsenal’s DNA.
If I had to pick though, I would look to Rodrygo, it also sends a message out. I wouldn’t sell Martinelli though.
Of Rodrygo or Eze, who is more likely to leave though? It’s difficult to decide, I think.
Rodrygo has been reported in Spain for a while now as being a candidate for the exit door. However, Real Madrid’s new coach apparently wants to keep him, but it’s unclear whether the club president (who decides ultimately) agrees.
Alternatively, it seems to me a big reason Eze is linked to Arsenal recently is that he’s an “old boy”, rather than any indication he wants to leave Palace at this stage. That may change if Palace don’t get European qualification (UEFA has just postponed their decision on that) but if they do get it in the end, I’d be surprised if he left this summer anyway.
If it’s for the LW role, then I prefer a specialist in that position in the person of Rodrygo Goes, and if for some reason we couldn’t get him, then Eze would be okay. Rodrygo should be the priority in my opinion.
I prefer Rodrigo over Eze considering his age,phisicality and pace and his unwavering threat to the defenders and his speed and his vasatality in the the pitch.
Rodrygo as central striker. He’s a 9
And I would get Morgan Rogers to give it AM some options and back up to Odegaard.
We definitely lack a variety of offensive power.
Rodrygo + another central striker.
That would be a great news.
Let’s go for Eze and forget this nily dily player of a Rodrigo.
Eze is ready to return to Arsenal.
Let’s go Arsenal.
@Gabbai Muntuwa. Fully agree,
Eze is tried & tested @ EPL……..No time needed to adapt