Arsenal’s season comes down to a crucial Champions League clash with the might of Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti has praised Mikel Arteta ahead of the clash but the Gunners boss knows that he will receive no plaudits from the fans unless he can mastermind a victory over the Spanish giants.
Bukayo Saka and Arteta’s message to Arsenal fans is to get behind the team and create an atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium that will drag the team along and strike fear into Ancelotti’s players.
Arsenal tried to sign Jude Bellingham when the Madrid star was at Birmingham but Arsenal baulked at the asking price, they also missed out on another Real Madrid ace that could now come back to haunt them.
Arsenal tried to sign Federico Valverde following trial in 2015
As per the Athletic, Arsenal tried to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde following a trial at the club under Arsene Wenger.
Scout Francis Cagigao first noticed Valverde from footage of an under 16 clash between Uruguay and Argentina and the player reminded him of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.
Valverde was invited for a trial with Arsenal and after impressing, he left with a shirt with his name on the back and the Gunners confident of securing his signature.
However, the Gunners were reluctant to pay Penarol’s €6m price tag and were struggling to secure a work permit for the Uruguayan player.
Real Madrid then swooped in, securing a deal for Valverde in July 2016 for an initial €5m, which then rose to €9m. The Gunners will now face Valverde in their crucial Champions League quarter final tie.
Valverde full of praise for ‘spectacular’ Mikel Arteta
Secretary general of Penarol Rodolfo Catino chose Pablo Torres to travel with Valverde for his Arsenal trial in order to make him feel at home and help with the language barrier.
Torres told the Athletic that a group of Arsenal players at the time, including Arteta and former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez were on hand to support with Valverde.
Torres stated: “The captain was Mikel Arteta, who spoke perfect Spanish and was spectacular with us. He introduced himself to us and made himself entirely available to us. A spectacular person.”
| Federico Valverde Real Madrid stats this season (2024-25) in all competitions | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Federico Valverde | 47 | 8 | 7 |
Valverde has spent a large chunk of the season filling in at right back for Madrid following the injury to Dani Carvajal and could line up there against the Gunners.
Gabriel Martinelli will be looking to exploit the Uruguayan midfielder’s lack of experience in the position, although faces a tough task against an excellent competitor in Valverde.
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