How Arsenal FC could line up with Vinicius Jr to solve key Mikel Arteta problem

For several seasons now Mikel Arteta has been keen to strengthen on the left wing, with a number of marquee players considered.

The Arsenal manager wants options across the pitch and knows how reliant his side have been on their right flank.

That showed no real sign of changing last year. Not since the 2022/23 season, when Granit Xhaka was bursting forward from midfield and Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli brought the best out of each other, has Arsenal’s left wing looked consistently dangerous.

There are no such issues on the other side. Bukayo Saka has often carried the creative burden on his shoulders and even Max Dowman’s breakthrough has come on the right.

Arsenal’s priority going into the summer was to sign at least one winger.

Morgan Rogers was the top target, with Arteta keen on his versatility at No10 and out wide, but negotiations dragged on and Arsenal ultimately did not want to match Chelsea’s £117million offer.

The Brazilian’s representatives remain in contract talks with Real Madrid and he has just 12 months remaining on his existing deal.

Losing someone of Vinicius Jr’s ability and status on a free transfer next summer would be unfathomable and so Real are determined to find a resolution.

Arsenal would need those contract talks to break down to have the chance to really pitch themselves to Vinicius Jr.

If the 26-year-old does decide to leave Real, Arsenal will go all out to try and sign him and are willing to put together a huge financial package.

It would be an incredibly exciting signing. Vinicius Jr has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past five seasons and has reached double figures for assists in four of those campaigns.

By contrast, Martinelli scored one Premier League goal last season. Trossard managed seven in all competitions.

Vinicius Jr would elevate Arsenal’s attack to the next level. The Gunners can be too safe and predictable going forward, but he possesses the moments of individual brilliance to break down stubborn defences.

Speaking after his side’s Champions League final defeat last season, Arteta said of Paris Saint-Germain: “What they are able to do with the ball, with individual actions, I haven’t seen it.”

Vinicius Jr would bring that quality to Arsenal. Only three players in LaLiga last season averaged more take-ons – he is a relentless problem for defenders.

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Vinicius Jr

Tzolis would be a squad player, with Vinicius Jr joining Saka and Declan Rice as players effectively guaranteed to start when fit.

He would open up space across the pitch and opposition teams would find it much harder to double or triple up on Saka. Defences would be stretched wide, also benefitting Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz centrally.

With Riccardo Calafiori potentially behind him as a unique profile of left-back, marauding inside and taking up positions in the final third, Arsenal’s attack would suddenly look far more dynamic.

There are questions over his work off the ball. Arsenal do not carry passengers in that respect, with Arteta demanding his wingers constantly track back.

Vinicius Jr has been given the platform to play with attacking freedom at Real but there would be more demands of him at Arsenal.

However, Arsenal have an elite defensive structure. They have a world-class goalkeeper, one of the best centre-back partnerships in the world, and Rice in front protecting them.

If any side can afford to give an attacking superstar more license to hurt other teams, it is Arsenal.

The fact Arteta is so keen to bring Vinicius Jr to north London suggests he knows as much.

He has been clear that he wants his Arsenal side to evolve, particularly in attack. Vinicius Jr would be the genuine game-changer signing to deliver that.