Brazil's Pedro and Rodrygo. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)
Another campaign, another heartbreak for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s squad once again missed out on the Premier League crown, finishing runners-up for the third straight season—this time trailing Liverpool.
Though Arsenal’s defense ranked among the tightest in the league, their attacking struggles proved costly. The Gunners managed only 69 goals in 38 games—17 fewer than Liverpool.
Supporters have grown increasingly impatient with the lack of firepower up front. With Kai Havertz failing to firmly establish himself as a central striker and Gabriel Martinelli’s impact waning on the left flank, calls for fresh attacking talent have reached a fever pitch.
Bukayo Saka remains the lone reliable threat in the final third, maintaining his spot as a fixture in the starting lineup.
In pursuit of offensive upgrades, Arsenal have been linked to prominent forwards like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, while also looking to strengthen their options on the wings.
Gunners Face Rodrygo Hurdle
One key target on Arsenal’s wing wishlist is Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.
The Brazilian international is widely praised as one of the most technically gifted wingers in world football. However, since Kylian Mbappé’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu, Rodrygo’s playing time has sharply declined.
At 24, the São Paulo-born forward is reportedly open to a move this summer, with Arsenal showing strong interest. Yet, according to a recent report from Spanish outlet AS, the Gunners have encountered a significant roadblock in their pursuit.
Rodrygo, who extended his Madrid contract until 2028 two years ago, currently earns a net salary between £6-7 million per season. While this is a mid-level wage for Madrid, it would make him the highest-paid player at Arsenal.
On top of that, Arsenal would have to meet a hefty transfer fee, likely exceeding his current £77 million market value, posing a real challenge for Mikel Arteta’s carefully balanced salary structure.
One man who doesn’t want to see Rodrygo leave is Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid teammate spoke highly of the Brazilian, saying: “He’s so underrated. For me, he’s the most gifted player on the team. The things he does with the ball… I look at him and think, ‘How does he do that?’ If I did that, I’d sprain my ankle.”
“I think he sacrifices the most,” the Englishman added. “We all know that his favourite position is on the left, but he does a lot for the team from the right even though it’s not his position. And he never complains.”
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