Arsenal must avoid another Nicolas Pepe transfer trap, the ‘intelligent’ alternative is clear for Mikel Arteta

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal fans are waiting patiently for news of an attacking signing this window.

Arsenal signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a smart £5m deal to provide competition for David Raya.

Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard are expected to join Arrizabalaga imminently, whilst Arsenal are in talks to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.

However, Mikel Arteta is desperate for attacking reinforcements and whilst it is clear firepower is needed, the Gunners have to be wary of making another Nicolas Pepe style mistake this window.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s ‘inspirational’ £34m star now holds the key in landing Andrea Berta’s dream striker transfer target

Arsenal need to be wary of Rodrygo asking price

Arsenal smashed their club record transfer fee when they signed Pepe for £72m back in August 2019 from French outfit Lille.

Pepe revealed ‘tensions’ with Arteta upon leaving the Gunners on a free transfer to Trabzonspor in 2023 and his career at the Emirates Stadium never took off despite some promising early signs.

Arsenal are interested in Rodrygo this summer in an attempt to bolster Arteta’s options in the wide areas and provide competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Xabi Alonso is open to letting Rodrygo leave for the right price this summer and it is believed that Real Madrid are looking for a fee in the region of £70m.

Whilst there is no doubting the quality of Rodrygo and the player has won multiple Champions League titles, £70m is a huge price for somebody unproven in the Premier League.

Adapting to English football can take a long time for foreign players and as with the case of Pepe, some ultimately fail to adapt to the pace and physicality of the league.

Arsenal cannot afford to splash that sort of money on a player that is not guaranteed to succeed. Arteta needs to deliver a trophy next season and requires players that he knows he can rely on to produce the goods.

Arsenal should spend the Rodrygo money on Morgan Rogers

Arteta likes Premier League experience in his signings and Arsenal have enquired about Eberechi Eze as part of their attacking overhaul this summer.

Arsenal also hold an interest in Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa and if the club are prepared to spend £70m on a winger, the England international is the man they should look to acquire.

Rogers was sensational for Villa last season and has proven himself to be a difference-maker both domestically and in Europe.

Unai Emery praised Rogers’ intelligence and with 14 goals and 15 assists last campaign, he would thrive under Arteta’s fluid system.

His versatility across the frontline makes him an attractive option and the fact that Villa failed to qualify for the Champions League next season means he may be available at a cheaper price than Rodrygo.