Vinicius Jr to Arsenal truth emerges after Mikel Arteta secrecy as assistant coach speaks out
Arsenal wanted to sign Vinicius Junior in the summer transfer window(Image: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Arsenal assistant coach Miguel Molina has admitted the club did look at signing Vinicius Junior in the summer. The Gunners were very keen on signing the player, but the Brazilian eventually renewed terms with Los Blancos instead.
football.london reported throughout the saga, which swung back and forth as talks with the player and clubs intensified. It appeared at one point that when Real Madrid were standing firm in their position of not improving their contract offer, he might go to Arsenal.
Cadena Ser even reported recently that there was genuine surprise from some of Vini Jr’s teammates that he ended up staying with Jose Mourinho and the club, with many adamant that a move to Arsenal was going to happen. The north Londoners were aligned at all levels that if a deal could be done they would work to make it happen.
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However, Mikel Arteta would often, despite being asked regularly, not be drawn on speaking about the player. However, with the international break now in full swing, one of the manager’s staff has given some truth behind the curtain.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Radio Marca ‘s La Tribu, Molina provided the first public admission from Arsenal that the club had Vini Jr’s name among those they were looking at.
“Yes, of course,” he said when asked about the interest. “Obviously, I can’t stray from the facts, but he was a name that was on the table, yes.”
Arsenal ended up allowing Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus to leave on deadline day, joining Leandro Trossard through the exit door, however the only forward signed was Christos Tzolis. Eberechi Eze has been used more on the left wing as a result and there is an expectation Arsenal will explore further options in the January transfer window.
Molina further opened up on one player linked with a move away from Arsenal. Real Madrid and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Martin Zubimendi with the player's minutes limited by the presence of Bruno Guimaraes and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
“Zubimendi’s greatest strength is his adaptability, allowing him to perform in any position on the field,” Molina said when asked about the player. The assistant coach also gave his view on the versatile Mikel Merino. “For me, he is like a coach on the field. He can play as a number 9, a number 8, a number 10, even a number 6 if necessary.”
Merino could be useful for Arteta in his forward line again after Kai Havertz suffered a muscle strain on duty with Germany. While a scan is needed to determine the extent of the damage, there are concerns that he could need to be replaced for the return of the Premier League in a fortnight’s time.
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