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Arteta needs depth throughout his squad | Getty Images
Arsenal are said to be interested in a versatile Premier League midfielder this summer.
Arsenal are on the lookout for talent to improve their squad this summer as they gear up for what they hope will be a Premier League title-winning season next term. The Gunners need depth throughout their squad having sold many of their fringe players last summer to fund their steady stream of big spending.
The lack of depth came back to bite Arsenal last summer when they were hit by injury issues aplenty, and both Mikel Arteta and sporting chief Andrea Berta will be eager to avoid such a situation next time around.
One of the first areas Arsenal struggled with last summer was the attacking midfielder role, with Martin Odegaard struggling with injury early in the season. The lack of depth behind Odegaard hurt the Gunners early on, with Leandro Trossard not offering the same level of creativity. That could lead the Gunners to add depth to that area this summer.
According to a report from GiveMeSport, Arsenal are interested in a deal to sign Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers in a bid to strengthen that spot. It’s claimed the Gunners have been impressed by Rogers and have asked what it would take to get a deal done this summer.
Rogers is under a long-term contract with Villa, tied down until 2030, and previous reports have claimed the West Midlands club will demand as much as £90million to sell this summer. If that is accurate, Arsenal are not likely to go anywhere near Rogers given the needs they have elsewhere this summer. Rogers is valued at £47million by Transfermarkt.
The Rogers and Emery connection
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said of Rogers in the spring: “With how football is changing, I appreciate a lot the players being versatile, playing different positions, understanding everything tactically. One of them in our squad is clearly Morgan Rogers, and John McGinn as well. This versatility and performing like we are always needing is really very important. Sometimes I’m pushing other players to be versatile or to adapt. Being versatile in case we will need it.
“Not every player is ready to do it, but Morgan Rogers is always positive and his versatility is very important for us. In the last match, we played in different positions with Morgan. He played striker, number ten, right side, left side, and he’s always performing very well because he’s a player who understands tactically everything we are planning and he has the qualities to do it. The importance he has now is trying to improve. I’m always pushing him to get more of him, but physically as well he’s keeping the level we needed until today.”
Meanwhile, Rogers has credited Emery for getting the best out of him. He told The Independent: “Never a moment’s rest. When you probably least expect it is where he'll catch you out, telling you about yourself. For me personally, I wouldn't change it. It's what you need sometimes, when you've had a few good games, sometimes you might not be as at it, that 1 per cent. He will make sure that 1 per cent is nipped in the bud straight away. He always drags the best out of you.
“Probably when you first come into the dressing room you don't take it the best way, you don't know how to handle it. You come in the changing room really happy, and then he'll just have a go at you about something. I can think of the best games I've had, and he'll come up to me and batter me for one little thing I did in the 20th minute... I go home annoyed, and I'd thought I'd played pretty well. That's how he is.”
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