Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, José Mourinho was right about Vinícius Júnior

Ultimately, Vinícius Júnior chose the club he has never given any indication of wanting to leave. Presented with a chance that nobody saw coming to join Arsenal, Vini Jr instead stuck with Real Madrid.

José Mourinho held personal talks with Vini Jr and convinced him to stay at Real Madrid, and we saw the ultimate vindication of that decision, from all parties, last night.

Against Real Sociedad at home, Vini Jr. scored a goal and grabbed an assist. It was an immediate improvement from the opening game of the season and a sign that Mourinho is figuring out how to use the Brazilian.

When he was subbed off, Mourinho (who Arsenal fans know all too well) egged on the crowd to show more love to Vini Jr. The Real Madrid fanbase is a tough nut to crack but just like any fandom in sports, they value loyalty, and that is exactly what Vini Jr. showed them in the summer.

As far as Arsenal are concerned, they won't lose any sleep over missing out on Vini Jr. It is unfortunate that he didn't come, but hey, nobody expected it before the window opened.

As much as the entire football world would have seen their jaws drop at Arsenal signing Vini Jr., it was always ambitious interest. Arsenal never stepped on anyone's toes, and neither Vini Jr. nor Real Madrid fueled anything unnecessary.

It all happened in a minute, but it felt like a lifetime when it was happening. The deal never moved past Arsenal simply being interested, but that word alone was enough to leave Arsenal fans pressing F5 continuously, just like anyone would if their club was linked with one of the best players in the world.

Now, Arsenal can move on. Vini Jr. himself has already moved on, and Mourinho is being rewarded for trusting the Brazil superstar from day dot.

Real Madrid fans are optimistic about the future with Vini Jr. Sure, nobody from the outside looking in can deny that the relationship is shaky at times, particularly in this Kylian Mbappé era, but he is a Real Madrid legend, and his time is not done.

Now, Madridistas are comfortable in the knowledge that a former Arsenal villain, Mourinho, is about to work wonders with a player who Arsenal fans parasocially fell in love with. Guilty; it's that new chin.

The Real Champs site co-expert Hridyam Arora said, "Mourinho loves building relationships with his stars, and Vinicius Junior is the perfect player to do that with. They both speak Portuguese, and Mourinho understands that the best way to get the most out of Vini is to make him feel loved. I imagine that is exactly what his thought process is, as he attempts to get the Brazilian back to the summit of European football, where he used to comfortably and consistently sit a couple of years ago."

Fellow co-expert Joe Soriano said, “Vinicius Junior has become a polarizing figure since Kylian Mbappe arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Arsenal’s transfer interest would have been a convenient way for Real to pull the plug on a player who had grown into the face of the club before the Frenchman joined. Jose Mourinho was tasked specifically with unlocking Vinicius psychologically after both complacency and apathy set in following the Ballon d’Or snub, and instead of scapegoating Vini as others have done, he has taken his task to heart.”

Where one door closes, another opens. Christos Tzolis is coming for that Ballon d'Or, right?

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