Arsenal could still make a move for Rodrygo in an upcoming transfer window, as the Real Madrid star is understood to be unhappy at the Bernabeu.
The Gunners were heavily linked with the Brazilian over the summer, but Andrea Berta ultimately opted to go in a different direction.
Noni Madueke signed from Chelsea for £52 million, while Eberechi Eze was acquired for £67.5 million from Crystal Palace.
While both are excellent players in their own right, neither is a natural left winger, and this is an area that Arsenal could still look to address next summer.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Arsenal could still sign Rodrygo
Mikel Arteta was supposedly very keen on signing Rodrygo in the summer transfer window.
However, the 24-year-old never pushed for a departure from the Spanish capital, opting to remain with Los Blancos to fight for his place.
Arsenal subsequently went in another direction, but they could yet return for the electric wide man. Speaking on the Beyond the Back Four Podcast, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed that Rodrygo remains a potential option for the Gunners.
“I think they are getting used to playing with [Viktor] Gyokeres,” he said.
“They’re getting used to how he’s playing, with his running in behind. They’re also getting used to [Eberechi] Eze, when he’s replacing [Martin] Odegaard. They’re just getting used to playing with new players in their squad. I still think they could do with another left-sider.
“They could go and look at a Rodrygo who is not happy where he is, for example. He’s still a cherry on top signing they could make.”
Rodrygo has started just two La Liga games so far this season, with new Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso evidently favouring the likes of Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono.
Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were more willing to throw his toys out of the pram in order to secure a move next summer, and Real Madrid may be happy to cash in.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Do Arsenal still need Rodrygo?
If a player of Rodrygo’s calibre is on the market, Arsenal would be wrong not to at least explore the potential signing.
That said, the Gunners have spent big on Madueke and Eze, both of whom will expect to play minutes on the left-hand side.
Rodrygo’s La Liga Statistics 2024/25Appearances30Goals6Assists5Shots per 902.52Expected Goals per 900.19Key Passes per 902.29Successful Take-Ons per 902.29Rodrygo’s La Liga Statistics 2024/25 – via FBRef
Even if Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli leave the Emirates at the end of the season, it’s possible that there still might not be space in Arteta’s squad for Rodrygo.
The Spanish manager also needs to ensure that there is a path to first-team minutes for Max Dowman, and part of doing that would be to use Madueke more on the left, creating openings for the youngster on the right, behind Bukayo Saka.
