Arsenal have been linked with a winger from a club that holds a special place in Mikel Arteta’s heart.
The Arsenal manager grew up in San Sebastian and came through the Antiguoko youth setup before joining Barcelona’s academy.
Real Sociedad, the city’s primary club, is where several of his current players made their name — Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard all spent formative years there.
Now, according to The Sun, Arsenal are weighing up a move for Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea.
The 24-year-old scored the opening goal as Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid to win the Copa del Rey in April and had been in contention for Spain’s World Cup squad before a late-season injury ended those hopes.
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However, despite the talent, the case for Arsenal signing Barrenetxea is hard to make.
The report claims that Real Sociedad are reluctant to budge on his £65million release clause, a fee Arsenal would rightly not be willing to pay.
That alone should end the conversation. But even setting the price aside, Barrenetxea’s profile raises serious questions about whether he is the right fit for what Arsenal actually need.
He has never scored more than four goals in a La Liga season. This season he managed four goals and five assists across 30 appearances — decent numbers, but hardly the output of a player who commands a £65million fee and is expected to replace a player of Gabriel Martinelli’s credibility.
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Arteta has been clear that this summer is about improving the starting XI and adding the individual quality that was so evidently missing in the Champions League final against PSG.
The left flank is the priority, and what Arsenal need there is a player who can contribute double figures in goals and provide consistent attacking threat against elite defences.
Barrenetxea does not fit that profile.
Christos Tzolis, with 17 goals and 23 assists for Club Brugge last season, is a more compelling option at a lower price, even if it is the Belgian league.
Morgan Rogers would bring proven Premier League quality, and even Nico Williams, despite his difficult club season, would bring far more explosive potential.
The Arteta connection and the Basque Country heritage make for a nice story. But Arsenal need goals.
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