Rodrygo is reported to be a top target for Arsenal this summer to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options on the left side.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has 12 attacking names on his list, one of which is Real Madrid’s brilliant Brazilian.
Arsenal have made contact with Rodrygo, but the player has made it abundantly clear that, for now, his focus is on Real Madrid and the Club World Cup.
After 54 days, the 24-year-old returned to the pitch as Los Blancos opened their Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal, a fixture that Rodrygo started.
Xabi Alonso would’ve disappointed Rodrygo at the Club World Cup
The Real Madrid winger is one of several Arsenal targets at the Club World Cup.
The tournament will end on 13th July, and until then, those in N5 will be watching Rodrygo closely.
As Madrid opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal, one thing was clear to see, and that’s Alonso’s plans for the Arsenal target.
The newly appointed Real Madrid manager started the winger on the right side, denying him his favoured role on the left, just as Carlo Ancelotti did.
The Real Madrid squad know that Rodrygo sacrifices his favoured position to help the team, with Vinicius Junior unable to be usurped on the left wing.
| Rodrygo vs Al-Hilal |
| 1 assist |
| 1 shot |
| 100% pass completion |
| 1 key pass |
| 4 attempted dribbles |
From the early stages against Al-Hilal, it was abundantly clear that Rodrygo is better suited to the left, but while he struggled to get into the game, when he found himself on the ball, his impact was impossible to ignore.
It wasn’t the most flattering performance from Rodrygo, who was assessed by Spanish media, with the unanimous feedback being that he’s still being played out of position.
Still, the Brazil international crafted Madrid’s only goal of the contest, making his time in the final third count, giving Arsenal another incentive to sign him.
Rodrygo might be feeling deflated after Alonso indicated that his role on the right isn’t likely to change anytime soon, which could also hand the Gunners a hope of securing his transfer.
Arsenal can grant Rodrygo his dream role
At the Bernabeu, Rodrygo is never the protagonist, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t deserve the title.
Alonso has been attentive to Rodrygo since his return to action, but it might not be enough, as the prospect of his talent being wasted in an incorrect position is painful.
If there’s one thing Arteta can certainly offer the Brazilian, it’s a free run at the left-wing role, as Gabriel Martinelli needs competition and Bukayo Saka’s threat needs to be mirrored.
Finances so often fuel transfers, but in the case of Rodrygo, the promise of being Arsenal’s starting left winger is an offer that the player might just deem irrefutable.
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