Arsenal have one of the strongest midfields in world football. The anchoring pair of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi is playing at a higher level than literally anyone else this season, and they are a huge reason why the Gunners are now the best team in English football.
Behind them, Mikel Merino is another fantastic footballer, while attacking midfielders Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are two of the best in the Premier League, even if they have not been at their own best in the 2025/26 season.
Yet Arsenal still wanted to add one more player to the mix, even though another new summer 2025 signing, Christian Norgaard, has not been getting as many chances in comparison to his quality.
According to a report from BILD’s Christian Falk, Arsenal actually submitted a last second offer to impending Bayern Munich free agent No. 8 Loen Goretzka on transfer deadline day.
But wildly enough, Goretzka apparently rejected Arsenal. He wil now hit free agency in the summer transfer window, available to sign with any club, including the likes of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who could be linked to him.
Goretzka was once one of the best box to box midfielders in European football before declining precipitously these last few seasons. At first, Bayern were desperate to get rid of him, but he kept rejecting offers in order to make his full salary.
This winter, Bayern did not seem as keen to lose him because of depth issues and a lack of incoming players, so he will leave for free. But it is now weird to see the biggest reporter in German football saying that Goretzka actually rejected the best team in the Premier League.
It is strange that both Arsenal wanted Goretzka despite his poor technical quality and recent catastrophes for Die Roten, and it is also strange that he would actually reject such a successful club that is also in contention for the Champions League crown at least as much as Bayern is.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.