Most Arsenal fans have been expecting Morgan Rogers to sign for the last few months but now, the Aston Villa man looks on his way to Chelsea.
Rogers is expected to sign for the Blues in a deal worth around £117m, with the player himself committing to a long-term contract.
For Arsenal, it means that they will now have to step up their pursuit of other targets in the attacking midfield areas and furthermore, see a direct rival land their top target.
Naturally, Mikel Arteta will be fuming as he saw Rogers as the ideal signing.
However, more worrying for the Gunners is the message this sends out and when all is said and done, that is what will worry Mikel Arteta the most.
Who should Arsenal sign now after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea?
Arsenal should be worried by Morgan Rogers’ move to Chelsea
We’ve all seen in football how transfers can change at the last minute. It’s nothing new, and over the decades and years, it’s happened plenty of times.
However, rarely does it happen where the team who has just won the title is expected to land their top target, only for a club lower down – albeit a rival – snatch them away.
Chelsea have done just that though. And in reality, it’s embarrassing for Arsenal.
Aston Villa are thought to be angry with how Arsenal conducted themselves in negotiations but more worrying for Arsenal fans and Arteta is the fact that Rogers appears to have opted for Chelsea over them.
Despite getting to a Champions League final and winning the Premier League with ease, Arsenal have once again found themselves beaten to a top player.
Historically, we normally see the team at the top being the one who swoops in. We’ve seen Chelsea do it in the past with Fernando Torres, Barcelona pinched Ronaldinho from under Man United’s nose, and Man City have done it recently with Elliott Anderson.
Arsenal supporters now have every right to be worried. It shows a lack of conviction and efficiency in the market. The Rogers deal looked all but done just 48 hours ago and now, he’s going to sign for Chelsea.
If this happens again this summer, then Gunners fans will be thinking that after finally getting over the line, their club are stalling.
Arsenal and Andrea Berta, then, need to get a swift move on with any future business.
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