Arsenal have been linked with a number of exciting attacking additions in this summer transfer window.
Indeed, Arsenal are looking at all sorts of different attacking talents at the moment.
Eberechi Eze is a key Arsenal target, while the Gunners are also in for Viktor Gyokeres as they finally look to sign a striker.
Rodrygo has also been linked to Arsenal, and speaking on TalkSPORT, Darren Bent has been discussing the idea of the Brazilian coming to the Emirates.
Bent says that he likes the idea of Rodrygo coming to north London, while he pondered which position the attacker could play for Mikel Arteta’s side, suggesting that starting as a centre-forward is an option.
Arsenal target Rodrygo Goes during Real Madrid's clash with the Gunners in the Champions League.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Rodrygo could play up front for Arsenal
Bent spoke about Rodrygo and his potential move to Arsenal.
The pundit says that he wants Arsenal to sign a striker before they bring the Brazilian in, but he did later note that perhaps Rodrygo could himself play up front.
Rodrygo wants to play on the left wing, but Bent reckons he may be used centrally.
“It would be, but what I don’t want to happen is that Arsenal sign Rodrygo and then another striker comes in and it’s like ‘here we go again.’ Sign the striker first. If you can get Rodrygo as well, love it, he’s only 24 years old, so he still has room to grow, but get that centre-forward in first,” Bent said.
“Does he get into the starting XI?” Bent was asked.
“Predominantly, he plays on the right, so he isn’t playing instead of Saka, so no, but he can play centre-forward, so that’s an option, having Rodrygo gives you that option.”
Rodrygo stats as a striker
As Bent says, Rodrygo can play as a centre-forward, and that may be something Arsenal want to look at exploring.
However, when you dig into the numbers around Rodrygo playing up front, you do have to question whether this is something Mikel Arteta would actually be keen to implement at Arsenal.
Rodrygo stats as a striker
Games 83
Goals 22
Assists 8
22 goals in 83 appearances simply isn’t the type of return Arsenal will be wanting from their new number nine, and it’s clear that more firepower is needed beyond Rodrygo.
Rodrygo could be a brilliant signing for Arsenal if he’s used in the correct way, after all, he’s been labelled as ‘world class’ in the past, but bringing the Brazilian in as your new starting number nine would be questionable transfer activity to say the least.