As Arsenal’s transfer business develops this summer, there are some clear issues still to be solved by the hierarchy.
The Gunners have already got a few deals through the door, having announced Kepa Arrizabalaga before sealing a move for Martin Zubimendi.
Beyond them, Arsenal are still working hard to sign another defender, a midfielder, and then a centre-forward and a winger as a bare minimum.
One such deal, however, is seeing Mikel Arteta repeat a potential mistake that was made by Arsene Wenger many years ago.
Arsenal set to repeat transfer mistake with Ethan Nwaneri and Noni Madueke situation
Arsenal are pushing to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea this summer in a potential deal that could help transform the forward line.
The winger is capable of playing on both sides, has plenty of potential for the future and could offer the depth needed to help the Gunners compete on all fronts next season.
While Noni Madueke may not be that game-changing signing that is expected out wide, like Rodrygo, he could play an important role by improving squad depth and quality.
The problem comes further on as Ethan Nwaneri has been linked with a transfer to Chelsea as a result.
Nwaneri has one year left on his contract at Arsenal, putting him at risk of a potential free transfer switch next summer if a new deal isn’t agreed.
With Chelsea swooping and no clear game-time guarantee for the 18-year-old, there is a real chance of a possible exit in the near future.
That could cause a possible swap deal of sorts this summer, which would see Madueke move to Arsenal and Nwaneri join Chelsea.
That may be a clear mistake for the Gunners, however, as it could be a repeat of the swap deal conducted by Arsene Wenger in 2006.
Ashley Cole joined Chelsea, while William Gallas moved the other way to Arsenal, in what would later be a far-from-ideal move for the red side.
With that swap not working out for the Gunners, it’s clear to see how that sort of situation could be repeated with Nwaneri and Madueke.
Ashley Cole and William Gallas move became a nightmare for Arsenal
Arsenal star Ashley Cole made it clear that he wanted to leave in 2006, with Chelsea making an effort to land the left-back.
With William Gallas moving the other way, it was a move that never fully worked out for the Gunners out of all this.
Cole went on to be one of the best left-backs in modern history, cementing himself in the Premier League hall of fame along the way.
Gallas had his moments, with his rise to captaincy showing his initial impact, before he was stripped of that role less than a year into it.
The defender then joined rivals Tottenham in 2010, bringing a painful end to that association with the club.
In the end, it’s a swap deal that never panned out how Arsenal would’ve wanted, while they are on the brink of making a similar mistake with Nwaneri, who has the potential to reach the very top.
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