Although Arsenal’s recruitment has generally been successful since Mikel Arteta’s appointment in 2019, there still have been one or two faux pas.
Arsenal fans might predominantly remember David Luiz for his calamitous moments in red, and signing Willian on a free transfer was also another questionable move.
But as Arsenal progress under Arteta and build a stronger squad, those ill decisions are becoming less frequent.
But whether he falls into that category or not, former Arsenal goalkeeper Neto endured a relatively difficult loan spell from Bournemouth last season.
Neto made one appearance for Arsenal during his loan, a Champions League opportunity against Girona, and despite his experience, the Brazilian did drop a clanger.
Furthermore, Neto didn’t impress in Arsenal training according to reports, and that’s perhaps why he wasn’t used more often to deputise for David Raya — that and the fact that he was cup-tied in the Carabao Cup.
But on the back of his Arsenal loan, The Sun are now reporting that Bournemouth are ‘desperate’ to sell Neto.
Neto in action for Arsenal in the Champions League.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Bournemouth are set to sign Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea as their replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is now an Arsenal player.
And given Mark Travers is also at Andoni Iraola’s side, there’s simply no room for Neto, who earns £5m a year in wages according to the report.
Of course, Arsenal were said to have covered all of Neto’s wages during his loan last season, meaning the Brazilian cost the Gunners £5m across the season, playing just one time.
And whilst Edu Gaspar perhaps deserves some praise for the deal in terms of finding experienced cover at the eleventh hour, it’s not an example that Arsenal’s recruitment team will use moving forward.
Kepa Arrizabalaga might soon regret his decision to join Arsenal
As mentioned Kepa has joined Arsenal to become Arteta’s new number two, penning a long-term deal with the Gunners.
Bournemouth did want to sign the Spaniard permanently from Chelsea themselves, but they ultimately couldn’t match the wages on offer from Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Kepa signing has been called ‘the deal of the century’ by some quarters — it’s unusual to convince a player of his quality to join as a number two.
But perhaps that points to an issue that will arise at Arsenal across the season.
Although he’s been signed as such, will Kepa actually be content with being Raya’s backup? Only time will tell.
And if Arsenal decide that Raya is the better keeper and their number one as expected, it would make little sense for the Gunners to rotate in the Champions League for example, where every game now matters.
Meaning Kepa might only play in domestic cup competitions, which represents very little football for a player of his quality.