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For years, Arsenal supporters have lamented the club's hierarchy for a so-called lack of ambition. Not pursuing big-name players or an unwillingness to invest heavily in the squad have been valid criticisms of the key decision-makers at the Emirates.
However, for much of this period of mediocrity, where these critiques were fair, Arsenal weren't playing at the big table. They weren't in a position to attract the best talent, and thus, naturally weren't able to land players of a certain pedigree.
Now, the Gunners sit near the top of the football pyramid. Mikel Arteta has created one of the best teams in world football, and as a result, the North Londoners are operating at the very top of the market.
They cannot only afford to enact one of the most expensive deals of all time, but they're also able to convince one of the biggest global superstars that N5 is the right place for them to ply their trade.
When news broke on Saturday that Arsenal are exploring a deal for Vinicius Junior, rival fans smirked. How could the Gunners even think they could attract the best left winger on the planet?
Well, not only have the finances been approved at all levels inside Highbury House, but there is plenty of reason to believe that Arteta and his staff can seduce the 26-year-old into starting a new love affair - this time in a place that will accept him, and cherish him, for what he can produce on the pitch.
Three reasons why Vinicius Junior will choose Arsenal
The money is good
According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are prepared to break the bank for Vinicius. Not only are they willing to fork out an astronomical fee, but they're also set to offer him the most lucrative contract in the club's history.
A deal worth £400,000 per week has been mooted, although it wouldn't be a surprise if the eventual offer exceeds this. Capology's figures suggest this would be a marginal pay-cut from what Vinicius is currently earning, and is almost certainly less than what Real Madrid will offer him, although this may not actually reflect the true financial value of Arsenal's offer.
Part of what has caused the contract talks with Los Blancos to stall is reportedly disagreements over a signing-on fee. Florentino Perez is notoriously stingy with signing-on fees when it comes to contract renewals or extensions, and isn't willing to offer Vinicius what he wants.
With the money saved in the potential transfer fee, Arsenal can table a proposal that includes a substantial signing-on fee. Not only may this satisfy Vinicius' demands, but it also allows for a slightly reduced weekly wage, which will, in turn, keep the Gunners' wage structure in check.
This, combined with more control over image rights for Vinicius in England than in Spain, as well as lucrative agent fees, all of which Arsenal can afford due to their huge commercial success in recent years, means the financial side of the deal shouldn't be an issue.
Vinicius' Ballon d'Or chances improve at Arsenal
Vinicius was denied a Ballon d'Or in 2024 when Rodri was controversially handed the award over him. The winger was so upset at the decision that he and his entourage abandoned the ceremony altogether, despite still making the podium.
Clearly, winning this individual award is important to him. With no World Cup until 2030, he has no window to stake a claim for the Ballon d'Or through his exploits for Brazil for another four years.
Realistically, he probably needs to be part of another Champions League-winning team to be in with a great chance of claiming the accolade. However, at Real Madrid, several other stars may even be ahead of him in the line to win the vote if the Spanish giants do win the prestigious European trophy. Kylian Mbappe is the main man at the Bernabeu, and is arguably more favoured for a Ballon d'Or if the award is ultimately selected from Los Blancos players.
That's not even to mention that Arsenal are arguably more likely to win the Champions League in the next few years than Real Madrid are. The Gunners have a settled team, with key players in their prime years, and merely need an additional bit of firepower to push them to being favourites for the competition. The signing of Vinicius would instantly prompt the bookies to change their odds in favour of Arteta's side. He'd provide the offensive star quality on top of an elite defensive team, and he too is in his prime years.
Conversely, Real Madrid are in an uncertain period. They've just appointed Jose Mourinho, a coach who hasn't displayed any ability to successfully lead a team to major silverware since the mid-2010s, as their new manager. They keep bouncing from manager to manager, and almost every different type of approach has failed, despite having an embarrassment of riches.
If Vinicius wants to win the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or in his remaining four or five years at his best level, Arsenal is where he's most likely to do it.
Arsenal can love Vinicius like Real Madrid can't
As alluded to in the previous section, Vinicius can be the talisman at Arsenal in a way he can never be at Real Madrid whilst Mbappe is there. At the Emirates, he'd instantly become the most high-profile player, and Arteta would build the team around his superstardom.
From much of the reporting, it seems as though the romantic aspect of the game is hugely important to Vini. He doesn't feel loved and appreciated at Real Madrid, and it's hard to blame him based on who they've just appointed as manager.
Back in February, Vinicius was racially abused by Benfica fans during a Champions League knockout match. Mourinho, the Benfica boss at the time, responded by essentially blaming the wide man for provoking this racist response through his celebration.
Now, that same man is set to take charge at the Bernabeu. Vini, who has had to endure his fair share of racial abuse throughout his time in Spain, may not be comfortable working under Mourinho, and he may certainly feel Real Madrid don't have his best interests at heart by appointing the former Chelsea head coach.
At Arsenal, not only will he not have to put up with any of this nonsense, but he'll also be deeply adored by the club's faithful. Gooners are bound to take to him from the outset, and if he delivers on the pitch (which he almost certainly will), he'll be worshipped in North London forever.
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