Weeks after being knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal, Real Madrid winger Rodrygo Goes has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer.
Rodrygo is Arsenal’s “dream signing” and perhaps justifiably so, considering he is one of the most dangerous forwards in the world.
But the Brazilian has endured a difficult 2024/2025 season as his form has ebbed and flowed, which led Carlo Ancelotti not to play him in back-to-back games against Barcelona.
Real Madrid are ready to sell Rodrygo after their most disappointing season in years as a club where they have failed to win a single piece of silverware.
Despite Los Blancos seemingly running out of patience with Rodrygo Goes as he has failed to cement his status as a superstar, there is no questioning how much he has accomplished within the game already.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal should sign Rafael Leao instead of Rodrygo Goes
However, if given the chance to sign either the former Santos wideman or Rafael Leao, Arsenal should opt to sign the latter for multiple reasons.
Arsenal are interested in signing Leao in any case as they look to find an upgrade to Gabriel Martinelli, who has not looked like the same player since the 2022/2023 season where he scored 15 Premier League goals.
Regarding the Portuguese international, where he truly trumps Rodrygo as a target for Arsenal is his superior experience on the left-wing — with the latter mostly deployed on the right flank at Real Madrid.
While Rodrygo has impressed as a left-winger during his career, he has only made 78 appearances in the position in comparison to Leao — who has played 205 times in his natural position.
STATS ON THE LEFT-WING RODRYGO GOES RAFAEL LEAO
APPEARANCES 78 205
GOALS 23 61
ASSISTS 16 56
As a result, from Arsenal’s perspective, the former Lille forward is much more of a sure-fire bet to perform in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arteta is a fan of Leao and in terms of his system as well, the 25-year-old is a better fit than Rodrygo as he is happy to stay out wide and hug the touchline while the latter is at his best centrally.
AC Milan value Leao at £84 million and considering the Almada-born star has also had to bear the responsibility of being his side’s main man, unlike Rodrygo — perhaps even mentally, he may be ready to lead Arsenal from the front.
Rafael Leao and Rodrygo stats compared this season
Andrea Berta held talks to sign Leao and even based on the season he has had in comparison to Rodrygo, Arsenal have much more of a reason to target his arrival.
STATS THIS SEASON RAFAEL LEAO RODRYGO
STARTS 38 38
GOALS 12 13
ASSISTS 13 10
Considering both players have made the same starts, the fact that the Serie A winner has more goal involvements than the two-time Champions League winner (25 in comparison to 23) despite playing for an inferior side speaks volumes of his quality.
But from Arsenal’s point of view, Leao having yet another impressive season out on the left-wing while Rodrygo has failed to nail down a position once again is a key factor to consider before they decide which player to sign.