Arsenal will be wary of what happened to transfer target Rodrygo during Real Madrid’s second Club World Cup fixture.
Arsenal have been linked to Rodrygo as a possible solution to Mikel Arteta’s attack.
The Gunners desperately need a new left-winger to compete with Gabriel Martinelli, who has surprisingly been linked to Bayern Munich.
While it’s clear why sporting director Andrea Berta is drawn to Rodrygo, the player hasn’t decided how he wants his future to look, with all eyes on the ongoing Club World Cup.
Spanish media comment on Rodrygo absence
In Real Madrid’s first game at the tournament, Xabi Alonso might have frustrated Rodrygo by playing him on the right.
Carlo Ancelotti played the Brazilian out of position to accommodate Vinicius Junior, and it appears that Alonso wishes to do the same.
That being said, during Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Mexican side CF Pachuca, Rodrygo’s role was entirely different, as he didn’t even step foot on the pitch.
In the wake of Real Madrid’s win, Spanish outlet AS commented on Rodrygo’s absence with a viewpoint that might turn heads at Arsenal.
AS reported that Rodrygo’s ‘situation remains unchanged’, in that he became accustomed to being Ancelotti’s first substitute, and now, he’s become the first to be dropped out of Alonso’s XI.
The post-match reaction from AS also included a line about Premier League interest in the Brazil international, stating that the ‘possibility of a move to the Premier League looms’.
Switching attention to Guler, who admitted he could leave if his game time didn’t improve, AS insisted that the 20-year-old ‘has an advantage’ over Rodrygo, as he’s the best option to replace Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
All signs are pointing to the end of the road for Rodrygo, which, coming so early into Alonso’s tenure, might alarm the winger.
Arsenal can offer Rodrygo an irrefutable package
It’s a shame that a player of the 24-year-old’s quality is not getting the respect he perhaps deserves in Madrid.
Rodrygo’s family are unhappy with how he is treated, which must prompt Arsenal to approach the player by showing him how much things could change for him at the Emirates.
For starters, Arteta already has big plans for Rodrygo, having a vision of playing the Brazilian in his favoured left-wing role.
Also, the forward wouldn’t be anything but the protagonist in N5, a title that he’s unlikely to ever hold at the Bernabeu.
Berta has the tools to strike while there’s an opening for Rodrygo, whose start to life under Alonso has been varied.
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