Arsenal’s title rivals are taking a huge transfer gamble

While the incessant faux news updates are dull and the protracted sagas are as tedious as watching Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, it’s nothing short of thrilling when a surprise is sprung in the transfer window.

On Monday, a bombshell was dropped; one that absolutely nobody saw coming. While there have been murmurs of discontent in Joao Cancelo’s camp amid his reduced minutes at the Etihad, an exit didn’t appear to be imminent.

But the extravagant full-back will not be around as Man City go in hot pursuit of the Gunners at the top of the Premier League table. Cancelo, who played such a pivotal role in the Cityzens’ title triumph last season, is on his way to Bayern Munich after an initial loan deal was agreed upon between the two clubs.

It’s a move that came from nowhere, and one that could aid Arsenal’s title bid.

Arsenal’s title rivals are taking a huge transfer gamble by selling Joao Cancelo to Bayern Munich

https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1620074901154701312

Cancelo is on the verge of completing his stunning move to Bavaria that could see him depart permanently in the summer for a €70m fee. He’s a player that Julian Nagelsmann desperately needs given his ability to perform an inverted function, and there’s no doubt that City will be worse off in his absence.

The Portuguese international is a freakish technician that can do pretty much anything with the ball at his feet. Thus, he emerged into somewhat of a unicorn under Pep Guardiola following a difficult start to life in the Premier League with the Spaniard utilising the 28-year-old in a myriad of functions.

However, things just haven’t clicked for Cancelo this season after an exceptional 2021/22 campaign where he notched seven league assists. His fine form continued at the start of the season, especially in the Champions League, but he’s been been a mere bit-part player since returning from the World Cup.

The Daily Mail reports that the player’s relationship with Guardiola has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, with Cancelo voicing his displeasure over his lack of game time. The pair are said to have engaged in a “training ground bust-up” after Cancelo learned he wouldn’t be starting in the FA Cup clash against Arsenal. The full-back threatened to leave the club and was subsequently told he could do so – a bit like David Brent in The Office.

The latest reports suggest City will not be signing a replacement, with the club believing they have adequate cover within their current squad. It’s a testament to young Rico Lewis that the champions are willing to let such a prized asset depart, while Nathan Ake is in excellent form, too. Guardiola will be hoping to see more from Sergio Gomez down the stretch, with Kyle Walker also still an option.

City are blessed with an array of alternatives that can each perform various functions within Pep’s framework, but there’s no denying the risk involved in letting a player of Cancelo’s obvious talent leave.

But, on the flip side, some will argue that the club simply had to get rid of a disgruntled squad member whose ego was reducing him to being a mere disruption. Time will tell whether Pep and City were right to let Cancelo walk in January, but I reckon the vast majority of Arsenal fans are content to see the back of the 28-year-old ahead of their eagerly-anticipated matchups.