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Arteta could lose a favourite | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Eberechi Eze, however, would Mikel Arteta be better off with a superstar winger?
If Arsenal are to not only catch Liverpool, but pass them and become Premier League champions, keeping up with them isn’t going to be enough.
Man City will provide stiffer competition this season and Enzo Maresca has also found a formula that works at Chelsea, both clubs have spent a lot of money ahead of what could be a blockbuster title race. Mikel Arteta finally got his no.9 by signing Viktor Gyokeres and a link to Eberechi Eze is an exciting one given the England international’s impressive performances for Crystal Palace.
Who Arsenal should buy instead of Eberechi Eze
The question is, if Arsenal are to spend big once more this season, is Eze the right player to sign, or should they make the sort of statement that their title rivals have been making and target a forgotten superstar. In a team of Galacticos, Gunners target Rodrygo has become a forgotten man at Real Madrid and he looks certain to leave this summer with the Premier League being his most likely destination.
With both Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz capable of playing as a no.10 - Eze’s preferred role – there isn’t a desperate need for the Eagles’ playmaker. Even as a winger it would be questioned whether or not he would be an upgrade if Arsenal can negotiate a cut-price transfer.
If money is to be spent, it should be spent on Rodrygo. A player with a track record of winning league titles, and who has two Champions Leagues and a Club World Cup to his name already at the age of 24.
What he would also do, is provide the sort of balance and numbers on the left to add to those of Bukayo Saka on the right. After spending years being moved around to accommodate others, the Brazil international deserves the chance to be the main man in his best position and where he wants to play – and The Emirates could be the perfect place to do it.
Has Rodrygo suggested that he is about to leave Real Madrid?
Not Eze or Rodrygo: This is who Arsenal should sell Leandro Trossard for - opinion
Posting a holiday snap on social media, Rodrygo didn’t quite hint that he is on the move, however, as is the way in 2025, anything remotely cryptic can be interpreted whichever way the reader wants: "Clear mind and many missions ahead!” declared the 24-year old via SI.
The speculation linking Rodrygo with a move away from the Bernabeau isn’t anything new and most of last summer saw his name mentioned in connection with other teams.
When asked on Brazilian TV, and reported by The Athletic, if his plan was to stay at Madrid, his answer gave an insight into why he is so keen to move now:
“It also depends,” he said. “I want to stay here for many years. I want to be here as long as I feel that I help and I’m important for the team. And from the moment when I see that I’m no longer important, maybe it’s time to look for another place.
“I don’t think that’s what’s happening at the moment and I’m not thinking about it. I always dreamed of playing here, it was always my favourite club. I have everything here, I am making a dream come true, I am already a champion of everything and as long as I am important I want to continue here.”
“The Premier League is a league that everybody likes, I am not going to close doors to any other league,” he said. “Everyone knows that my dream is always to play for Real Madrid — I want to be here, but everything can be discussed. But my objective is to continue here.”
During the recent Club World Cup, Rodrygo barely got off the bench, the time has come where he is no longer seen as important by Madrid and a move is on the cards. If Arsenal are serious about putting an end to the run of second place finishes, signing Rodrygo could well be the difference.
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