Arsenal’s Premier League title rivals are about to suffer a major blow ahead of next season.
Liverpool currently sit 12 points ahead of the Gunners in the English top flight, with just nine games left to play.
The Merseysiders are extremely likely to lift the title, but this hasn’t stopped Trent Alexander-Arnold from being tempted by the bright lights of the Bernabeu.
According to various reports, the right-back is set to agree a pre-contract with Real Madrid – a deal that could have positive ramifications for Arsenal.
- READ MORE: How Arsenal really feel about Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes new contract plans
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid could mean William Saliba stays at Arsenal
Alexander-Arnold has been flirting with Real Madrid throughout this season, with the Liverpool academy graduate’s contract expiring in the summer.
It now appears that he’s set to agree a deal that will see him become Los Blancos’ first choice right-back from the start of next season.
The Spanish giants’ previous first choice in this position, Dani Carvajal, suffered an ACL injury in October but was due to be replaced regardless, after turning 33 in January.
Carlo Ancelotti has been using Federico Valverde and Lucas Vasquez in the role in the meantime, but will be able to call upon one of the best full-backs in world football next campaign.
A potential knock-on effect of the deal could be how Real Madrid approach the potential signing of Arsenal defender William Saliba.
It’s well-documented that Real Madrid are interested in Saliba and that they view him as a primary target ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
However, Saliba is said to be happy at Arsenal, and the signing of Alexander-Arnold may make the Frenchman a less necessary acquisition at the Bernabeu.
Practically, the La Liga club may now be reluctant to add two new defenders to their ranks who will demand significant wages in the same window.
Additionally, from a footballing perspective, having Alexander-Arnold lessens the need for another ball progressing player in the back-line, while the Liverpool man will give Real Madrid more control, reducing the burden that the centre-backs have defensively.
There’s no doubt that Real Madrid will keep their eye on Saliba, but it’s very possible that landing Alexander-Arnold may push the signing back a year or two, to a time when the Gunners have less leverage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold exit a huge loss for Liverpool
More holistically, the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold is a huge blow for Liverpool as a team, and thus, a boost for Arsenal’s title aspirations.
While this season’s Premier League title hopes have diminished, ahead of next season, the Reds have a gaping hole in their team at right-back now.
| Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Premier League Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 28 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Pass Accuracy | 73.9% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 8.57 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.1 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.28 |
| Passes into the final third per 90 | 7.86 |
Conor Bradley is a steady defender and effective at marauding up the touchline but offers nothing in the build-up compared to his senior counterpart.
Liverpool may stumble into ball progression issues next season, and that’s great news for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side.
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