Arsenal have agreed to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge in what would be their first outfield signing of the summer.
Tzolis is expected to play a role similar to the one Leandro Trossard occupied, providing energy, creativity and goals from the left side without being the marquee signing fans are waiting for.
That marquee signing may well be Morgan Rogers. And if it happens, it raises an uncomfortable question about last summer.
Which Morgan do you want at Arsenal and WHY – Gibbs-White or Rogers?
Arsenal spent £67.5m on Eberechi Eze back in August. Less than twelve months later, they are preparing to spend even more on Rogers, a player with a remarkably similar profile.
Does signing Morgan Rogers make Eberechi Eze redundant?
Both Eze and Rogers can play as a number ten in a central attacking role off the striker, as well as on the left flank.
Neither are necessarily a traditional creator in the pure assist sense, rather both are more ‘moments’ players, capable of producing something extraordinary from nowhere with their technique and striking ability.
Eze’s goals against Tottenham last season, for example, or his strike against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Then look at Rogers’ goals against Manchester United last season. Both in the same game.
Of course, both players’ versatility across attacking roles means they could theoretically play in the same team.
But the fact that Arsenal are prepared to spend even more on a similar profile just 12 months after spending £67.5m on Eze says something.
Perhaps Eze has not quite delivered what was expected.
What would Arsenal signing Morgan Rogers mean for Ethan Nwaneri?
The writing was already on the wall for Ethan Nwaneri after the Eze signing last summer.
Adding Rogers to a forward line that already includes Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Max Dowman and now Tzolis would all but confirm it.
And that’s assuming Gabriel Martinelli will be sold.
There is simply no pathway to regular football for Nwaneri at the Emirates if this deal does materialise.
Arsenal would be smart to hold off on any potential sale for now though. Saka, Madueke, Eze and Odegaard will all be returning late to pre-season following the World Cup, so there will be opportunities for Nwaneri to shine.
Saka may even miss the start of the Premier League season, so there could even be a chance for the 19-year-old to impress then too.
Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have both shown interest though, and Arsenal will surely entertain offers.
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