Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has insisted that forward Rodrygo will be needed at the club next season amid reported interest from Arsenal.
The Gunners finished second for a third consecutive season in the Premier League after beating Southampton 2-1 in their final game of the campaign on Sunday.
Head coach Mikel Arteta will likely be under pressure to deliver major silverware next term given the team's last trophy was the FA Cup in 2020.
The Spaniard looks certain to add firepower in the forward line considering the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have been criticised.
However, despite the Gunners admiring Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo, Los Blancos manager Alonso spoke of his desire to keep the forward, telling reporters: "Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player. He is a spectacular player and we will need him."
The 24-year-old has endured a difficult season at the Bernabeu and has been linked with a move away, but if Real decide against selling him, it is difficult to see how Arsenal can pry the Brazilian away from the club.
© Imago
Who should Arsenal target instead?
Rodrygo is capable of playing from the left of attack, but he is also capable of playing in central zones, and his creativity would have been a significant boost to the Gunners.
Though many have focused on the need to add a goalscoring striker, the Gunners' biggest problem is arguably their struggle to generate chances for their forwards.
Arsenal's tally of 59.9 xG was just the seventh-highest total in the Premier League, less than the likes of Crystal Palace (60.4) and Bournemouth (64), while champions Liverpool produced 82.2 xG.
Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma has been linked in recent days, but he has only managed to provide 13 assists in his 88 Premier Leagues games for the Seagulls.
Arteta could try to integrate youngster Ethan Nwaneri into the first team given he is comfortable in an attacking midfield role, and he is one of the club's most promising talents.
The Arsenal boss may still want to add a creative player considering Nwaneri is only 18 years old, and failure to reinforce could prove costly if he wishes to avoid more scrutiny.
Lewis Nolan
