Arsenal Lose out on Silverware, Now Want to Win Big in Transfer Window

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Unfortunately, for the fans with Arsenal tickets, the hopes of silverware this season might not be a reality. The Gunners will finish second in the Premier League, but they will end the season empty-handed for yet another time.

But for the thousands who flock to the secondary ticket marketplace every week for tickets, they feel like there is still hope. Much of this hope has to do with the team’s talent. 

Gabriel Martinelli, Buakyo Saka, and Martin Odegaard have all been influential figures at the club, bringing a whole new dimension of football to the fans with Arsenal tickets, which they had not seen for decades. 

Hence, Arsenal’s future and the likelihood of winning trophies next season will entirely depend on these players and who they sign next season. 

Arteta has started his hunt for the club’s next set of signings and is desperate to make it work. 

He’s been in charge for seven years, yet he has only a single FA Cup to show for his accolades. 

Now, he wants the best players signed in the summer. 

Arsenal’s Rodrygo Situation

Arsenal are unwilling to to proceed with signing Real Madrid winger Rodrygo at the terms currently being demanded. However, there is positive news regarding the club’s hunt for a potent new striker.

A big summer is on the horizon in north London, with Arsenal aiming to make at least three impactful signings. 

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad will be arrival number one once his €60m release clause is triggered. The midfield maestro and I have already agreed on personal terms.

The two other anticipated additions will come in the forward line, with a left winger and striker wanted.

The Real Madrid ace, 24, is understood to be open to a new chapter amid growing dissatisfaction at being marginalised since Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

Many regulars from the secondary ticket marketplace have stressed the need for a striker, and Rodrygo fits the bill in terms of ability and talent, but the finances seem to not align. 

Sky Germany revealed initial talks over a deal to bring Rodrygo to Arsenal had taken place. Reports in Spain claimed the magic number that can seal a club-to-club agreement on the transfer fee is €80m / £67.15m.

But while that figure is well within Arsenal’s means, the latest from Sky Germany suggests Rodrygo’s wage demands are not to the Gunners’ liking.

Taking to X, reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed: “A move involving Rodrygo and Arsenal is proving to be very complicated.

“There have been new talks in recent hours. The biggest issue is his wage demands, reportedly around €10 million net per year. Arsenal are not prepared to go that far.

“Rodrygo is willing to leave Real Madrid if the right offer comes in.”

Factoring in the UK’s highest income tax rate of 45 percent, €10m net per season roughly equates to a gross weekly wage of £300,000.

As Plettenberg stated, those lofty salary demands are thus far preventing a deal from advancing.

Arsenal get serious for Benjamin Sesko!

The Rodrygo deal may have failed, though Plettenberg had rosier news regarding Arsenal’s striker search.

Despite persistent links to Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting CP, the reporter claimed Arsenal are now in ‘concrete talks’ to sign Benjamin Sesko.

Plettenberg stated: “Arsenal are now in concrete talks with RB Leipzig regarding Benjamin Sesko!

“Marcel Schäfer (Leipzig’s Managing Director of Sport) and Andrea Berta are in contact.

“While Arsenal are also monitoring other strikers such as Viktor Gyökeres, their pursuit of Sesko is serious.

“Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the 21 y/o forward from RB Leipzig. His release clause for the summer stands at €80 million. Deal on.”

Sesko scored 21 goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances for Leipzig this season.

Arteta Hunting Down Nico Williams

According to a report, Mikel Arteta is in direct talks with Nico Williams as the Arsenal manager tries to dissuade the winger from joining Real Madrid. Barcelona Sporting Director Deco made a big revelation about the Athletic Bilbao winger.

Both Arsenal and Madrid have endured disappointing seasons. Like in previous years, the Gunners have fallen short in the Premier League title race, while Los Blancos could not win La Liga, Copa del Rey or the Champions League.

Madrid and Arsenal are both keen on strengthening their respective squads for next season, and one player they have taken a shine to is Nico Williams.

Williams is one of the best wingers in the world and was described as “unique” and “wonderful” by former Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho in December 2024, as quoted in Football Espana.

Sources told us that Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta himself was keen to bring the winger to the Emirates Stadium at the time.

CaughtOffSide has revealed that Arsenal manager Arteta is now in ‘direct talks’ with the 22-year-old Spain international winger.

Arteta presented his project to Williams, and this approach placed Arsenal ‘in a commanding position’.

The report notes that Williams’s contract at Athletic has a release clause of £ 50 million, and it adds that Chelsea and Madrid are also keen on the winger.

There have also been reports in the Spanish press that Madrid wants to sign Williams in the summer transfer window.

The Athletic star has scored 11 goals and given seven assists in 44 matches in all competitions this season.

Williams, who has played predominantly as a left-winger this season, won the Copa del Rey with Athletic in 2023/24 and the European Championship with Spain in 2024.

Barcelona rules out signing Nico Williams

Earlier, Barcelona was also interested in a summer deal for Williams.

However, the Spanish champions’ Sporting Director, Deco, has suggested that a move for the winger may not happen because he decided to snub them last summer.

Deco told RAC-1 about Williams: “He’s a great player. We’ve seen his potential. He has been more inconsistent this year, but he’s at the level.

“We have to find a balance. A single player doesn’t always have to perform according to your plan. You have to understand what kind of player you need.

“We haven’t discussed planning; the most important thing now is what we have at home.

“First, stability for this team is the priority. And we’ll see if we need reinforcements. Last season, two players could have improved the team: Nico and Olmo.

“Moments come and go. Dani showed from the very beginning that he wanted to come. Nico didn’t. It dragged on, and it couldn’t be done.”

Those with Arsenal tickets know their team’s slow approach to the transfer market has cost them serious talent. They urge the club to be proactive early in the window to get the cream of the talent. 

Arsenal tickets for the pre-season friendlies are now available in the secondary ticket marketplace.

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