Arsenal: Ricardo Rodriguez Transfer Gloriously Ruthless

Arsenal are being linked to Ricardo Rodriguez, which, positionally, is a question mark. However, it is a ruthless link that changes things.

There’s that word again: ‘Ruthless’. The one thing that Arsene Wenger rarely ever is. In anything, really, from games to transfer windows to… well, anything. Wenger’s brilliance is in his innovation, faith and loyalty. Not in his ruthlessness.

That being said, now that Arsenal is being linked to several guys that would be considered ‘ruthless’ signings, we have to wonder if Wenger is turning on the jets in an attempt to win some major silverware before the season is up.

The most recent ruthless rumor to start picking up steam is Ricardo Rodriguez. The 23 year old Wolfsburg left back has long been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga, but Wolfsburg’s vicegrip has kept him securely in their midst.

Things may be changing. With a release clause of just £19m, Arsenal is in a really good position to make one such ‘ruthless’ signing by way of the Swiss defender.

Making matters even more interesting is the friendship between Arsenal’s new boy Granit Xhaka and Rodriguez. They play together internationally, and everyone is a fan of uniting international team mates on club teams. Everyone. I asked them all.

What makes Rodriguez so ruthless is the fact that he would be a direct replacement to Nacho Monreal, someone who has been so consistent for Arsenal. But here’s the thing about Monreal – he is consistently good but rarely ever great. He has hit his ceiling, he isn’t going to get any better.

There’s nothing wrong with that necessarily, but any time a team like Arsenal, who want to win major silverware, have a chance to upgrade any position, they should logically take it. They just haven’t been in recent years. So by that standard, it isn’t even a ruthless signing, it’s a part of improving.

Rodriguez would balance out Arsenal’s flanks and make them universally solid. Bellerin is a monster on offense and defense. Monreal has his moments of both, but he is not consistently an offensive weapon. Rodriguez is.

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At Wolfsburg last year, he was an offensive force (yet again). He scored three goals and added four assists across all competitions while creating over a chance per game. At full back. Who does that remind you of?

Fullbacks are a rarity in the present era. Elite ones are, that is. That means that Arsenal would be in possession of two elite fullbacks. For the long run. Yes please.

Monreal is 30 years old now and while he did provide four assists, he didn’t score and that was in ten more appearances than Rodriguez.

With Gibbs slowly widdling his way out of the club and Monreal now on the wrong side of 30, an investment for the future should be made. If that investment also has the benefit of being a direct replacement on the present, then what is there to lose? Rodriguez is only 23. Lined up across from 21 year old Bellerin would put Arsenal’s fullback situation in a state of pure brilliance for the next decade.

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I remain to be convinced that Wenger will sign someone that directly replaces someone that doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced. Xhaka isn’t exactly like that, but he is a step in the right direction. Rodriguez would push it over the edge. It would prove Wenger is here to win.

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