Arsenal: Loyalty May Interfere With Ricardo Rodriguez Transfer

After landing Granit Xhaka, all attention turned to Ricardo Rodriguez. But despite the Swiss left back’s wishes, loyalty may interfere with his move to Arsenal.

I have been following Ricardo Rodriguez for awhile. The Swiss left back is one of the few full backs out there with the capacity to be elite (we have one of the others). However, it always felt like Rodriguez had a staunch loyalty to Wolfsburg. Plus, Arsenal’s full back crop always seemed kind of stocked.

Things changed this summer when Arsenal signed his Swiss international team mate and room mate. Asked if he would like to stay with his room mate and be his, how do you say it, ‘double’ room mate, Rodriguez was just as clear as Xhaka was: “That’d be exciting, yes, especially as we’d have already solved the rooming question at Arsenal” (via ESPNFC).

Well, that settles it then. It isn’t a Moussa Sissoko desperation cry, but it sure sounds appealing.

Arsenal already have Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs at left back. If you ask Arsene Wenger, he’d probably tell you that Jenko and Ospina can play left back as well, but that’s okay, he knows the truth. If Gibbs leaves, as he is expected to, Arsenal have a spot that needs filling. For a pretty reasonable fee, they can fill it with a very young, talented full back that would be here for the long haul, directly opposite Bellerin.

Those two opposite each other for a decade? How many ways can I say yes? Both have tremendous offensive and defensive abilities. Rodriguez is a master crosser and has pace to boot.

But there is a problem. There always is. Until Gibbs leaves, there is no way that Wenger will sign yet another left back. That isn’t the big problem though, the big problem is actually club loyalty. Wenger still values Gibbs and he certainly values Nacho Monreal. If he were to sign Ricardo Rodriguez, it would force Gibbs out and I have full confidence that Rodriguez would take the job from Monreal.

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Essentially, signing Rodriguez is a replacement signing for a position that Arsenal is not hurting at. With center back and striker in a much more dire situation, Wenger may realize that he doesn’t want to overspend (go figure) and will just focus on the necessities.

That’s where Gibbs comes into it. I feel dirty even saying this, because I have always valued Gibbs and his assets. Injuries just ruined everything for him. But, that being said, Gibbs’ greatest service to Arsenal could be leaving. If he leaves, it forces Wenger’s hand. A left back has to be signed. If that left back happens to be Xhaka’s Swiss international team mate, an all-around warrior and one of the best in the world, then everyone wins. Even Gibbs, because he can go somewhere that will actually play him.

Next: 5 Reasons Xhaka Is Signing Of The Decade

Rodriguez did note that he would not make a decision until after the Euros. Just like everyone else. Now we play the all-too-familiar waiting game.

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