footballtransfers.com

Morgan Rogers transfer failure is a blessing in disguise for Arsenal

Updated: 21 Jul 2026 16:10 BST | 4 min read

Morgan Rogers, Arsenal, 2026

Analysis

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Make us your Google favourite

Arsenal have officially missed out on top target Morgan Rogers, with the England star heading to London rivals Chelsea for a British record fee just shy of €140 million.

The 23-year-old was regarded as Mikel Arteta’s dream signing for this summer, and FootballTransfers understands that Rogers was keen on completing a move to the Emirates Stadium if the Gunners were able to finalise a deal.

However, Arsenal were ultimately unwilling to match Aston Villa’s asking price and they opted to withdraw from contention to sign the ex-Middlesbrough attacker after learning that Chelsea had lodged a €138m offer.

Arteta is understood to have played a key role in Arsenal’s decision to pursue Rogers’ signature this summer, but their failure to secure a deal may actually prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Why Arsenal’s Morgan Rogers transfer failure is good news

Firstly, Arsenal have avoided vastly overpaying for a player who is undoubtedly excellent, but one who is yet to find consistency across an entire season. Rogers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €65.1m and the Gunners’ decision to avoid succumbing to Villa’s demands makes sense from a financial point of view.

Furthermore, Rogers is a sublime talent, however he remains an incredibly streaky player. He scored 14 goals across all competitions last season, but back-to-back braces versus West Ham United and Manchester United in December was only the third time in which he has ever scored in two consecutive league matches in his entire senior career - and one of the other occasions came on loan at Lincoln City in League One.

There were also three separate seven-game runs in which he failed to score a Premier League goal in 2025-26 and he certainly isn’t yet the finished product. For €138m, that’s not ideal.

Regardless of this, he is a superb signing for Chelsea. The Blues were in desperate need of a proven Premier League forward to elevate their attack and while Rogers has become their all-time record signing, he has unquestionably improved their first-team squad - and by a significant margin. No qualms there.

However, for Arsenal, there are simply better options.

Arsenal weren't willing to pay €138m for Morgan Rogers

The Gunners have finalised a deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis to replace Leandro Trossard and while another left winger is wanted before the end of the summer window, there are reasons to suggest that Rogers was never the right answer.

First of all, Arsenal already have a Premier League proven, England international who is best as a No.10 but can play as a left winger: Eberechi Eze. Was there ever any need to sign Rogers too?

Of course, the 23-year-old is a superb talent, but Arsenal already have Eze, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Ethan Nwaneri and the vastly underrated Mikel Merino as attacking midfielders at Arteta’s disposal and there is therefore little room for Rogers.

At Chelsea, Rogers is likely to be deployed as a wide No.10 in Alonso’s 3-4-3 system, whereas he would’ve been utilised as an out-and-out winger every week at Arsenal, and that’s not a role that best suits his skillset.

If Arsenal want a new attacking midfielder, they already have plenty of suitable options to choose from. If they want a new left winger, the likes of Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande may be available and will likely cost a similar amount. And if they want a hybrid, Eze is already at the club.

It may be a source of frustration right now, but Arsenal’s failure to sign Rogers should be looked upon as a blessing in disguise, especially considering his €138m price tag.