While it wasn't a disaster, it's hard to deny that last season was a disappointment for Arsenal.
Instead of finally getting over the line and winning the Premier League at the third time of asking, Mikel Arteta's side had to make do with another second-place finish.
However, it wasn't all doom and gloom, as the North Londoners made it to the Champions League semi-finals for just the third time in their history, and when fit, Bukayo Saka was once again one of the best players in the country.
Saka's 24/25
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All Stats via Transfermarkt
Even though he missed almost four months of action, the Hale Ender managed to amass a sensational tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.
Yet, to reach yet another level next year, the 23-year-old may need some more assistance, which is why fans should be excited about reports linking Arsenal to a world-class winger who'd be a dream teammate for Saka.
Arsenal's winger search
With the need for attacking reinforcements undeniable, it's not been much of a surprise to see that, alongside the strikers, Arsenal have been linked with a host of dangerous wingers this summer.
One of the names that has been heavily linked with the Gunners has been Chelsea ace Noni Madueke.
The Englishman was good enough for the Blues last season, racking up a tally of 16 goal involvements in 41 games, but with a price tag of up to £50m, it's easy to understand why some fans would be hesitant.
Noni-Madueke-Chelsea
Moreover, it's hard to see the former PSV Eindhoven ace being a dream winger addition for Saka, which isn't the case when it comes to Rodrygo.
According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal remain very interested in the Real Madrid star.
The report has revealed that even though fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on the Brazilian international, the Gunners are in 'a favourable position' to secure his services, and have expressed a willingness to meet the financial demands of Los Blancos to make it happen.
According to stories from earlier this summer, the fee needed to bring the winger to North London is likely to be around £78m.
Other Rodrygo
That's certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but Rodrygo would be worth it, and Saka's dream winger signing.
Why Rodrygo would be a dream signing for Saka
As things stand, Saka is the only world-class attacker at Arsenal, and the fact that he was the club's most productive player despite missing over three months of action last season only reinforces this point.
Saka-Rodrygo-Arsenal
So, the first reason Rodrygo would be the Hale Ender's dream winger signing is that the Brazilian's output would help alleviate some of the immense pressure on him.
For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, the "world-class superstar," as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 32 goals and provided 20 assists in 106 appearances, totalling 7229 minutes.
Rodrygo-Real-Madrid-stats
That works out to a goal involvement every 2.03 games, or every 139.01 minutes, which is impressive enough in isolation, but is made all the more so when you take into account the fact he was played out of his preferred left-wing position for most of that period.
Moreover, the former Santos gem has shown himself to be capable of scoring massive goals in season-defining games - think back to the game against Manchester City - and so he'd be able to help the Gunners' number seven realise his ambitions of winning major honours.
However, it's not all down to what he can do on the pitch alongside the Ealing-born monster.
The second reason he'd be a dream addition for the 23-year-old is that, thanks to his versatility, he'd be able to fill in on the right when needed and, in turn, allow the Englishman to rest when needed.
rodrygo-real-madrid-chelsea-premier-league
This could help the talismanic international avoid fatigue-related injuries and prolong his career at the highest level.
Ultimately, from his output and big game experience to the ability to play off the right when needed, Rodrygo would be the dream winger signing for Saka.
Therefore, while it won't be cheap, Arsenal should do everything possible to bring him to the Emirates this summer.
Arsenal-Eze-Gyokeres (1) Related
[Eze & Gyokeres will love him: Arsenal explore signing £65m "mini Salah"](https://www.footballfancast.com/eze-gyokeres-will-love-him-arsenal-have-explored-signing-mbeumo/ "Eze & Gyokeres will love him: Arsenal explore signing £65m "mini Salah"")
Just imagine this player alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze at Arsenal.