There hasn’t been much bad news for Arsenal since the end of the season, but there are concerns surrounding Bukayo Saka.
It may not affect the Gunners at the moment, but England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed a few days ago that the winger will not be able to start or finish the game.
Saka is currently dealing with an Achilles problem that caused him problems last season and caused Mikel Arteta to carefully manage his workload.
Well, Tuchel has to do the same. What Saka really needed this summer was a few months off. Not the hectic schedule of a World Cup in one of the hottest climates imaginable.
Alas, Arsenal will be hoping the player gets through the competition unscathed before resting and returning for pre-season. Coincidentally, he, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke were able to see one of their England colleagues sign for Arsenal during the tournament.
Arsenal move towards signing big-money English player
After winning the Premier League last season, Arsenal are in a very good position to strengthen their squad. This represents their biggest opportunity to strengthen in recent years.
So they should take advantage of it. We need to bring a ceiling lifter to the Emirates to mount a further assault on the title and the Champions League.
A big-money winger seems to be at the forefront of their minds. PSG’s Bradley Barcola’s name has cropped up frequently, and after his goal at the World Cup on Tuesday night, he will become a player that will attract even more attention as the tournament progresses.
He’s not the only winger in their sights. Negotiations are reportedly underway to sign Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzoris. The player wants a move and feels it could happen fairly quickly if Arsenal decide he is the right man for the job.
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But their main target is Morgan Rogers. It is believed to be worth between £80m and £100m, so it will be a complex deal. Aston Villa don’t want to sell, especially after winning Champions League football. But they may have to be patient. That’s because Rodgers wants to move to north London.
A popular club official, Hand of Arsenal, said this. On Tuesday night, they reported on social media that the forward’s “hope” is now to join the Gunners.
Rodgers has informed Villa bosses of his desire to leave and is fully convinced by the project presented by Arteta and is pushing ahead with a move to the Emirates. Personal terms have been discussed with the player, but no agreement has yet been reached, while Villa and Arsenal have already held initial talks over a transfer.
Chelsea also appealed to Rodgers, but Rodgers replied that he only wanted Arsenal.
Why Saka loves Morgan Rogers
In the aftermath of the title win, co-owner Josh Kroenke revealed the decision to spend £105m on Declan Rice was a “huge moment” for the project. It certainly changed the game and made them a force to be reckoned with.
Well, in Rodgers form, it would also be a lark moment. Villa are not a powerhouse, they are one of the best teams in the country under Unai Emery. They are the winners of the Europa League. The move therefore feels like a power-play move by the English champions. They’re not here to rest on their laurels and sit in the back seat after lifting some big silverware.
In Rodgers, he will be signing a game-changing attacker who can take Arteta’s frontline to a new level.
He has prioritized defensive solidity for most of his tenure, but it’s time to beef up the offense, and do they need it? If there was one area where they struggled with consistency last season, it was staying at the top.
Leandro Trossard failed to score in 25 games, Gabriel Martinelli scored just one goal in the Premier League all season, and the over-reliance on Saka was evident when he was sidelined injured. His successor, Noni Madueke, was also active but struggled with consistency.
Saka has been the Gunners’ go-to guy for years and he is now feeling the effects. What they most need is injury-prone players in their ranks.
However, Rodgers’ arrival could breathe new life into the club’s number seven shirt. Together, they could form one of the most dangerous partnerships in the department.
Whether the English player comes to play on the left or centrally as a number 10 will be good news for Saka. If he plays on the left, the attention will eventually shift away from him.
For a long time, Hail Enders have been double or triple teamed by their adversaries. Arsenal played heavily on the right side because of Saka and because they lacked quality compared to the left side.
Rodgers would change that. The former PFA Young Player of the Year winner, who scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists last season, is one of the best and most consistent players in England’s top flight. He has the aura and similar carrying ability as Saka and would be an incredible threat on the left. Suddenly, Arsenal’s star player may find himself given more space on the right.
Rodgers vs De Gaulle: 2025/26 PL Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) | rogers | Odegaard |
the goal | 0.3 | 0.1 |
shot | 1.6 | 1.2 |
shot accuracy | 55% | 47% |
conversion rate | 11.9% | 4.55% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.3 | 2.6 |
won a duel | 4.4 | 2.7 |
progressive action | 6.19 | 7.03 |
progressive carry | 2.55 | 1.91 |
progressive path | 3.64 | 5.12 |
Still, Saka could be even better if the Villa man can play centrally. Rodgers has had a fruitful relationship with Martin Odegaard, but he is a much more threatening player.
With his powerful physique and running ability, he runs through the center of the pitch, defeating many players in a way that Odegaard, who is slower and thinner, cannot.
Wherever he plays, he will move the play forward faster and free up more space for Saka. That should be music to the ears of the club’s prized academy graduate.
A deal could be struck as soon as possible: Arsenal in talks to upgrade Trossard
Arsenal are ready to sign a new winger soon.
