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Mikel Arteta could look to Serie A and AC Milan to strengthen in the January transfer window
A phenomenal summer of recruitment left only one starting berth without world-class competition at Arsenal, and it’s shown with the Gunners scorching to the top of the Premier League and looking like this could finally be the year they end that 23-year wait for the title.
Their victories against Crystal Palace and West Ham United and at Fulham and Newcastle United add up to 10 huge points already gained over those fixtures last season, and it was exactly those kind of draws and defeats against non-Big Six opposition that Mikel Arteta needed to turn into wins to improve on the infamous three successive second places.
The Gunners also stole that opening-day victory at Old Trafford, and recorded 10 clean sheets in their opening 12 games against top-flight opposition with David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel resembling a brick wall for much of the season and Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hinacapie proving able deputies.
Familiar questions have surfaced around Arsenal’s attack though. Arteta’s side are well outside the top four for goals scored by open play and as of last weekend would be fifth in a table excluding set piece strikes.
While in midfield Arteta must choose three of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri or their more fringe players and he has Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres, who’ve each received Ballon d’Or votes in the last two years, backed up by a revived Noni Madueke who has received six England caps in the last 12 months.
The Gunners have launched just 32% of attacks down that flank, the joint-lowest in the Premier League, and tied with Newcastle (weirdly, given Anthony Gordon’s quality) as the team that’s launched the second-highest percentage of their attacks on the right wing. So it’s the perfect time for Rafael Leao to reignite his interest in a move to England, as Arsenal would be the perfect suitor.
Is Rafael Leao the missing piece for Arsenal?
Marking out Leao as having the potential to replicate Thierry Henry’s impact in north London isn’t hyperbole. Henry himself praised Leao’s defensive work-rate and the threat he poses on the ball after he grabbed an assist against Napoli in the 2022/23 Champions League quarter-finals, saying “when you get the ball it looks like you say to everybody, meet me in the box. People will be scared” and the winger has only kicked on from there.
For a long time it appeared the now 26-year-old revelled more in providing glory to others than wheeling away in celebration after scoring himself. So many times Leao would finish off an electric run by dragging a shot wide or streak through for a one-on-one only to fire a time shot into the goalkeeper, while remaining a star-studded creator for his teammates.
However, the winger has now found the balance and it’s terrifying. The pace, agility, close control vision and range of passing that made him such an adept creator have been matched with elite finishing as Leao is scoring every four shots he takes, and once for every two attempts he gets on target this Serie A campaign.
He signed off for the summer with a memorable display from the bench in the UEFA Nations League final, drawing two yellow cards and six fouls as he tormented the Spanish back-line before Portugal triumphed on penalties, and if Leao continues on this trajectory he’ll be a Ballon d’Or nominee in 2026. But will he be an Arsenal player too?
Can Arsenal attract Thierry Henry clone?
Unsurprisingly, Leao won’t come cheap. Reports of AC Milan’s price tag fluctuated in the summer between €100 million and €130m (£88m-£114m) which would drop Leao somewhere in the top 12 most expensive transfers of all time.
The Rossoneri are understandably reluctant to sell but the player himself is keen on the deal which may lubricate negotions with a source close to the Portuguese superstar telling TEAMTalk: “Rafa loves Milan, but the Premier League is the pinnacle for many, if the right project comes, he’s ready to listen.”
Arsenal were interested in Leao over the summer as they chased a world-class left winger to compliment Bukayo Saka and while they hit on every other item of their shopping list by September, that was still a box left unchecked.
It would be a big call because Arsenal could very well win the league without the 26-year-old, but if they want to make an impact in Europe and stack title-winning seasons at home they’ll need to do it with players like Leao in the starting lineup.
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