Arteta has struck gold on Arsenal’s most important star than Rogers

Last summer, Arsenal looked to increase the depth of their squad.

While joining other first team players, including Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, the main aim was to give Mikel Arteta a complete squad of players to help him challenge for the Premier League title.

Based on how the season ended, it’s hard to really criticize the work done by Andrea Berta.

However, this summer’s work is completely different. It’s not a floor lift this time, but a roof lift. Arsenal are looking for fit players. They want elite signings.

Julian Alvarez and Bruno Guimaraes are the main targets and they should sign at least one of them after missing out on Morgan Rogers.

Why missing out on Morgan Rogers is a mistake for Arsenal

On Saturday evening came the stunning news that Chelsea had beaten Arsenal to the signing of Rogers, paying a staggering £117m to secure his signature.

It’s a confusing situation. The Aston Villa man has been rumored to be interested in Arsenal in recent weeks and has been Arteta’s top target.

Alas, Andrea Berta and the board failed him, not for the first time. The truth is that people in north London did not want to pay such money. It is the money that makes him the most expensive English player of all time. Is Rogers really worth it? It is difficult to suggest that he is.

Transfermarkt value the player at £75m. A few years ago that would have been fine but the Premier League market has grown significantly this summer. Elliot Anderson has already moved for £116m. Sandro Tonali was sold for £100m. On that evidence, Rogers is worth the money Chelsea are paying.

Regardless of the price, however, this is a huge blow for Arsenal. As Premier League champions, they should have the freedom to sign their favourites. This summer was not meant to be a challenge. However, it soon becomes a struggle.

In Rogers, Arteta found his perfect player. Premier League-proven, English, direct, aggressive, visual beast and maverick, there’s a lot to like about the Villa man.

Although most of his football in the Midlands was as a no.10, he learned his job on the flanks and how Arsenal needed a world-class man to play on the left.

Christos Tzolis may be on his way to the Emirates but after the departure of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, finding a replacement is crucial.

It is important that the fans do not lose their heads completely. There may be even better opportunities waiting, but considering how much Arsenal need a winger and that this was Arteta’s best way to strengthen wide areas, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Will they spend £100m on anyone? However, considering previous comments from co-owner Josh Kroenke, that player will have to be very good, just like one of Rogers’ England team-mates.

Arsenal have struck gold in their £100m plus man

Speaking after Arsenal’s title win in May, co-owner Josh Kroenke described the acquisition of a certain Declan Rice as a “big moment” for the project and it’s easy to see why. They beat Manchester City to one of the best young midfielders in the world.

Fast forward three years and he is one of the best in the world, discussed in the discussion of winning the Ballon d’Or. While that sounds unlikely at the moment, it speaks volumes for the type of player and character the Gunners have in their arsenal.

The England international has struggled with fitness, dealing with severe nerve pains during the World Cup, but has improved since his arrival and will benefit from the addition of a new midfielder who arrives in north London.

Rice looks drunk right now. Another midfielder and midfielder of the class of Bruno Guimaraes will give him more rest. That is really necessary.

Proving just how important the 27-year-old is to Arsenal, no defender played more minutes for the club last season than him.

It’s hard to get rid of him though. This is one of the best players in Europe, he can do everything. There’s a reason many think he’s a modern version of a certain Patrick Vieira. Rice is fearless, a tough, duel-winning player, but also aggressive in his running. Very few would approach him when he is fully on board.

Rice arrived as a defensive midfielder but has turned into a box-crashing number 8 over the past two years. He has registered two of the best seasons of his career when it comes to goal involvement and has never been more involved in that.

He’s not bad at corners and free-kicks either. Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz said last season “he is still the best player in world football.”

Those two free-kicks against Real Madrid in 2025 tell you all you need to know. Meanwhile, last term, he ranked in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five clubs for expected assists from corner kicks. The rate at which he creates scoring opportunities in those situations is remarkable.

Rice isn’t just for those times, though. He is the leader of the men, he is one of the most vocal players in the group. Many think he should be the team captain. It will not be surprising if one day, he is given a permanent armband. Truth be told, he still has to be England’s most expensive player of all time.

Has anyone ever made £100m plus look like a fortune? Rice has it. Arsenal have well and truly hit the jackpot in their signing. According to Transfermarkt, he is now worth £102m, more than Rogers. For Arteta, however, he is precious.