Arsenal are exploring a sensational move for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, as Mikel Arteta's summer transfer plans finally start to kick into gear.
The Gunners have had a slow start to the window, with their only pieces of confirmed business being the signings of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds. While there is some excitement over Tzolis, these deals are hardly ones to get the pulses racing in North London.
A formal offer for Vinicius certainly would, though. Reputable journalist David Ornstein revealed on Saturday that a deal for the Real Madrid star is plausible, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu.
If developments aren't made in negotiations over a fresh deal in the next week or so, then Arsenal are on hand to pounce.
With that said, we take a look at the winners and losers of Vinicius' prospective move to the Emirates.
Vinicius Junior's 2025/26 Statistics per 90 (La Liga Only)
Stat
Goals
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
Shots
Expected Assists
Successful Passes
Successful Dribbles
Winners From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka
For too long, Bukayo Saka has carried the burden of being Arsenal's standout attacking threat. Opponents have increasingly built their defensive plans around stopping him, safe in the knowledge that few other players consistently punish the extra attention he receives.
Vinicius would make that approach far riskier. His ability to burst down the left and threaten the goal himself means teams couldn't simply overload Saka's side without leaving dangerous spaces elsewhere.
Whether defenders shift across to contain Saka or stay on the left to deal with Vinicius, Arsenal would finally have two genuine ball-carrying, goal-threatening outlets capable of exploiting the gaps. It's exactly the kind of variety Arteta's attack has been lacking.
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard reacts
Premier League - Everton v Arsenal - Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain - December 20, 2025 Arsenal's Martin Odegaard reacts Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Martin Odegaard orchestrates the bulk of Arsenal's attacks. The Norwegian sits in the right half-space and dictates the tempo of the Gunners' football, distributing the ball to the two wide men, who are then obliged to make something happen in the final third.
In his five-and-a-half years in N5, Odegaard has been heavily reliant on Saka's output on the right. He has fed Saka in dangerous spaces consistently, without being able to trust the man on the opposite flank.
With Vinicius, the Arsenal captain will finally have someone he can regularly feed on the left, who can actually start producing on this side. This could have a hugely positive effect on Odegaard's assist numbers, improving the public perception of his work.
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie in action for Arsenal against Wolves in the Premier League
Arsenal undoubtedly view Vinicius as a potential saviour to their left wing woes. These reports are validated by the suggestion that Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is seen as an alternative, clearly demonstrating their vision for the Brazilian.
If Vinicius does indeed arrive in North London, he may not play as an archetypal winger. It's possible he'll be deployed in more of a narrow role, which would allow him to pick the ball up in the pockets and in the half-spaces.
This should, in theory, benefit Piero Hincapie, who looked much better when he had Leandro Trossard or Eberechi Eze operating in this narrow role ahead of him on the left. Hincapie is much more comfortable playing on the outside and overlapping his winger, rather than playing inside and inverting into midfield as Riccardo Calafiori does.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Losers From Arsenal Signing Vinicius Junior
Gabriel Martinelli
martinelli arsenal
Vinicius' arrival as a potential left-winger at Arsenal would essentially put an end to Gabriel Martinelli's career at the Emirates Stadium. If the Gunners are willing to fork out in excess of £100 million on the 26-year-old to predominantly play on this flank, it means they don't believe in their existing Brazilian left-winger to produce what is required.
Arsenal have already sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for £17 million this summer, and Martinellli could soon follow.
Even if he stays in North London, Vinicius' signing could be the final nail in the coffin for the former Ituano man's prospects of being Arsenal's star left-winger. He may not stay, however, with Bayern Munich understood to be interested in the 25-year-old.
Christos Tzolis
Christos Tzolisvia Reuters
Christos Tzolis likely knew that he was signing up for something of a squad role when agreeing to join Arsenal from Club Brugge. Rarely does a player jump from the Belgian league to a top-six Premier League club, for just £34 million, and immediately assume a starring role.
The Greek was probably aware that he'd have to bide his time in Islington and wait for an opportunity to stake a claim to be the first-choice option on the left flank under Arteta. He likely expected a Barcola or a Nico Williams to arrive to compete with him — excellent players but not indispensable figures.
Just days after his move to the Emirates became public, reports linking Arsenal to the best left forward in world football have emerged. Tzolis may now be ruing his decision to swap Brugge for the British capital, not because he doesn't back himself to succeed, but because he may be competing for minutes with a bona fide superstar.
If Vinicius signs for the Gunners, he'll expect to play almost every available minute in the league and the Champions League. He can't just be a regular starter, but he'll need to be the key pillar that Arteta builds the team around if he agrees to join the North London club.
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That leaves Tzolis in a difficult position, desperately fighting for the odd cameo or appearance in cup competitions. While his switch to Arsenal could still work wonders for his status in European football, he may not be called upon anywhere near as regularly as he might've expected when first hearing of the Gunners' interest in him.
All Statistics via FotMob — correct as of 25/07/2026