Arsenal were handed further hope of luring Rodrygo to the Emirates Stadium last night when Xabi Alonso snubbed the Brazilian again.
Rodrygo didn't play a single minute in Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Osasuna to start their La Liga campaign.
After full-time, Alonso insisted Rodrygo was still in his plans, but his latest omission won't simmer transfer speculation.
He said: "These are match decisions. The way the match was going, we needed another profile. There have been no decisions for the future.
"Nothing is going on. The Club World Cup was a different context because of the competition it was. Today it's just one game, we can leave the rest behind.
“What counts is this season, and of course, I'm counting on Rodrygo. It's just one game; we shouldn't read too far into the future.
“If he gets those minutes in three months' time, I'll be able to answer you with more certainty. Today it was just the circumstances of the game and my decisions.”