Arsenal have presented a loan offer to Real Madrid for Rodrygo, with an obligation to buy Similar to what we did with Ødegaard, We have good relations with Madrid

Arsenal could have signed Rodrygo by selling their “talent of the century”

Arsenal didn’t sign Alexander Isak this summer but they did enjoy an unprecedented transfer window, shelling out around £300m on strengthening Mikel Arteta’s squad, making it ready for the demands of another Premier League title charge.

Many pundits insist that the Gunners simply have to win it this year. It’s hard to disagree with that, but Liverpool have also had a rip-roaring window, ending it in style by welcoming that man Isak to Anfield.

Isak’s Premier League record before joining Liverpool.

A long-term target for the north Londoners, there may well be some disappointment on Arteta’s end that he’s gone to a title rival but this has been a successful window for Arsenal.

Viktor Gyokeres has arrived and hit the ground running, scoring twice against Leeds. A boyhood Gooner in the form of Eberechi Eze has also arrived, joining Noni Madueke in the forward line.

The midfield has been bolstered by the arrivals of Spaniard Martin Zubimendi and Brentford’s former captain Christian Norgaard. At the back, Cristhian Mosquera and deadline day signing, Piero Hincapie, have rounded things off nicely. Mosquera was imperious at Anfield on Sunday, standing in for the injured William Saliba phenomenally.

But, did the Gunners miss a trick? Perhaps.

Arsenal’s failed pursuit of a new left winger

Those in charge of the recruitment at Arsenal did a phenomenal job this summer and will point towards Eze and Madueke as genuine options on the left-hand side of the attack.

Madueke began the game against Leeds on the left but certainly made a better impact when employed on the right with Saka out injured last weekend.

The more natural option on the left flank is Eze. A central attacking midfielder by trade, he enjoys playing in the pockets on the left side of the pitch and showed that against Liverpool, making an instant impact when he skipped into the penalty area before being brought down by Joe Gomez. So we thought, anyway; a penalty was not given.

But, what they really missed was a blockbuster left winger. During the course of the summer window, they were linked with moves for Rafael Leao and Rodrygo.

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo looks on

The latter was one of the most-linked players to Arsenal in the last few months, with talks reportedly being held on several occasions to sound out a move.

Having barely kicked a ball since Xabi Alonso’s arrival in the Spanish capital, he should have moved but has ultimately stayed with Madrid where he’ll fight for a place in the team.

Rodrygo would have been a superb capture. He’s capable of scoring goals, registering 14 strikes last term. He can also create, posting 11 assists in all competitions. Alas, Arsenal are happy with their options.

Eze and Madueke will be a huge help but you can’t help but think they have missed a trick with Gabriel Martinelli.

Why Arsenal need to move on from Gabriel Martinelli

The Brazilian has been a wonderful servant for Arsenal in the last few years and has been one of the poster boys for the Arteta project in London.



Transfer Focus

Back in 2022/23, the winger registered 15 goals, ending the term as the club’s joint-top goalscorer alongside Martin Odegaard and Saka. It was at that time that Jurgen Klopp described him as a “talent of the century”, such was his raw potential.

However, since then, he’s failed to kick on. In 2023/24 he found the net on eight occasions and in 2024/25, he only bagged ten times. Not awful numbers by any means, but considering he is the regular starter, you need and want more.

Well, Martinelli only compounded why he’s become a scapegoat when he faced Liverpool on Sunday. It wasn’t long before fans were crying out for Eze. Embarrassingly, he was locked up by a makeshift full-back in the form of Dominik Szoboszlai, the man who scored the winning goal.

Martinelli vs Liverpool

Minutes played

70

Touches

15

Accurate passes

6/7 (86%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Dribble attempts

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

2

Stats via Sofascore.

It’s safe to say it was a horror afternoon for Martinelli, failing to have a shot or complete a key pass.

Playing away at Anfield is never easy and you can forgive a quieter display but when Arsenal had such amazing options on the bench, you have to question why he started.

One might also question why he’s still at the Emirates. There were quiet murmurs of a move to Saudi Arabia happening but that never materialised.

Arsenal aren’t tight on the Premier League’s PSR rules but there are growing concerns surrounding UEFA’s financial fair play restrictions. Selling Martinelli would have alleviated that or even funded a move for the likes of Rodrygo or Leao, both of whom would serve as big upgrades for Arteta.

For now, however, Arteta will be happy. He has every right to be. This is the best window Arsenal have had in years; they looked well prepared to fight for major silverware this season.