TBR Football can now exclusively reveal that Rodrygo’s Real Madrid teammates are urging the club not to sell the Brazilian to Arsenal.
Throughout the summer, Arsenal have been aware of Rodrygo’s situation at Real Madrid – the winger might struggle for minutes following Xabi Alonso’s arrival.
Alonso is a huge fan of Arda Guler and Real have also recruited Franco Mastantuono from River Plate.
As a result, TBR Football shared earlier in the summer that Arsenal saw an opportunity to sign Rodrygo – a pursuit that has been very patient in north London.
However, Arsenal have just held fresh talks to bring Rodrygo in from the Spanish capital, and they might even do so on loan.
Real Madrid players urge Xabi Alonso not to let Rodrygo join Arsenal
With that in mind, chief correspondent Graeme Bailey now understands that Kylian Mbappe is one of several Real players urging the club not to move on from Rodrygo.
In the past, Jude Bellingham talked up Rodrygo’s importance to Real – he’s won several titles on the right wing for Carlo Ancelotti.
Rodrygo in action for Real Madrid against FC Salzburg
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres’ Arsenal debut causes Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker to say the exact same thing
Last week, TBR Football confirmed that Real will not stand in Rodrygo’s way if he wants to join Arsenal.
However, a number of Rodrygo’s teammates have now stepped in to make it clear to Alonso and the club’s hierarchy that the Brazilian should not leave.
Amongst them, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde have told the club that they feel as if Rodrygo should stay.
But fortunately for Arsenal, it’s understood that as things stand, Rodrygo is edging towards the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Numbers prove that Rodrygo can thrive as a left winger for Arsenal
Of course, if Rodrygo is to move to Arsenal this summer, it’s widely expected that he would start in the left wing role for Mikel Arteta.
Bukayo Saka has the right wing role locked down for Arsenal, and in actual fact, Rodrygo has been more effective in terms of goals and assists in his career to date from the left anyway.
Position Games Goals Assists Goal involvements per match
Right wing 146 34 31 0.44
Left wing 78 23 16 0.50
Rodrygo’s stats on the left and right wing so far in his career (source: Transfermarkt)
As a possible alternative to Rodrygo, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has spoken to Arsenal on more than one occasion.
However, Arsenal have their doubts about Eze as a left winger – his best role is still playing as a number 10.
But in terms of Rodrygo, it’s clear that the Brazilian can be the key figure Arsenal need to reinvigorate their attack on the left.