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Man City beating Arsenal to capture 23-year-old star would be a hugely helpful move for Pep Guardiola

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Why Man City should beat Arsenal to sign Alex Grimaldo in the summer

According to the Sun, Arsenal are keeping close tabs on Benfica’s former Spanish U21 left-back Alex Grimaldo. Spanish source Mundo Deportivo claims that Atletico Madrid are also keen on securing the services of the 23-year-old next summer.

In all honesty, Arsenal’s interest in Grimaldo is quite justified, with the Gunners in the hunt for a long-term replacement for Nacho Monreal who is out of contract in the summer.

A product of Barcelona’s youth system, Grimaldo established himself as a seasoned campaigner for the ‘B’ team of his boyhood club, racking up 10 goals and 15 assists from 127 appearances. Having failed to make his cut into the first-team due to stiff competition for places, the Spaniard made his move to Portugal with Benfica in December 2015 and he hasn’t looked back since then.

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Grimaldo has played a key role for Benfica this season and his stellar run of form hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 23-year-old has registered 5 goals and 5 assists from 26 appearances in the Portuguese league and the UEFA Champions League, helping his team secure a Europa League round of 32 spot.

Standing at 5ft 7in with a diminutive frame, Grimaldo is a fast, agile, technically-gifted and a dynamic left-back who is capable of contributing equally to both the attack and the defence. The Spaniard boasts of exceptional close control in tight areas and he also has the ability to use his dribbling skills to get past the opposition’s full-backs.

To go with his technical abilities, he is also a very good passer who excels with his vision from the wide areas, creating chances with his deliveries into the box and picking out the holes to exploit the half spaces.

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Blessed with good game-reading abilities, Grimaldo’s pace allows him to track back and close down the opposition. Comfortable in possession and a wonderful asset to the team in terms of work rate, the Spaniard is never afraid to stick his foot out when needed and he seldom gets his tackles wrong.

Furthermore, he is a set-piece specialist who has the knack of finding the net from anywhere within 30 yards.

To put things into perspective, Grimaldo has shown enough promise to take the next big step in his career and a move to the Premier League might just open the door for him to reach greater heights. In fact, he would be an ideal solution to Manchester City’s left-back conundrum.

The Cityzens found things way too easy in the Premier League last season but Pep Guardiola’s side are having to fight tooth and nail to hold off Liverpool’s challenge for the title this time around. They have a good enough side to challenge for silverware on all fronts but the left-back position continues to be a bit of bother for the manager.

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The injury to Benjamin Mendy has forced Guardiola to use Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph as makeshift full-backs, a ploy that has proved to be costly for the Cityzens.

Neither of them has been able to exhibit the composure and positional awareness of a specialist full-back, prompting Guardiola to shift Aymeric Laporte to the left. The Frenchman has done a fair job but City still need more cover in that area to avoid a similar crisis next season.

Read More: Man City would become literally unbeatable if they sign this home-grown duo for £80m in the summer

Man City have the financial means to pull off big transfers and they should not hesitate to splash the cash and beat Arsenal to sign Grimaldo in the summer.

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Beyond Declan Rice: Is Arsenal’s Unexpected €30M Transfer a Solution to Their Midfield Problem?

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Beyond Declan Rice: Is Arsenal's Unexpected €30M transfer a solution to their midfield problem?

Arsenal’s summer has been defined by midfield reconstruction. The arrivals of Martin Zubimendi for £51m and Christian Norgaard for £12m have already transformed the spine of Mikel Arteta’s team, yet reports persist of a potential move for João Palhinha at around €30 million. The question isn’t whether Arsenal need more midfielders – it’s whether they need the right type of midfielder.

The current Arsenal midfield presents a fascinating tactical puzzle. Declan Rice remains the cornerstone – a box-to-box presence who excels at breaking up play but offers genuine threat in transition. Martin Ødegaard provides the creative spark, threading passes and orchestrating attacks from deeper positions. Zubimendi brings technical excellence and press resistance, while Norgaard adds physicality and aerial dominance. So where does Palhinha fit into this increasingly crowded picture?

Read More: 3 Reasons Why Thomas Partey’s Departure Could Devastate Arsenal’s Title Ambitions

The Defensive Disconnect

Here’s the reality: despite their summer spending, Arsenal still lack a pure destroyer. Rice, for all his qualities, is too valuable going forward to be anchored in a strictly defensive role. Zubimendi is more conductor than combatant – superb at dictating tempo but not the aggressive ball-winner Arsenal occasionally need. Norgaard offers physicality but lacks the mobility to cover ground effectively in Arsenal’s high-press system.

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Palhinha represents something different entirely. During his Fulham days, he averaged 4.2 tackles per game and 2.1 interceptions – numbers that dwarf anyone currently in Arsenal’s squad. He’s the specialist screener who can sit deep, break up attacks, and allow Rice to push higher up the pitch. This isn’t about replacing anyone; it’s about tactical evolution.

Read More: Ethan Nwaneri New Contract Details: Young Stars Commits Future to Arsenal with Lucrative 4-Year Extension

The Rice Liberation Theory

The most intriguing aspect of a potential Palhinha signing is how it could transform Rice’s role. Currently, Rice operates in a hybrid position – covering defensive duties while contributing in attack. With Palhinha anchoring the midfield, Rice could push into more advanced positions, utilizing his late runs into the box and physical presence in the final third.

Declan Rice
Declan Rice (via Hayters)

This tactical shift mirrors what we’ve seen with successful teams worldwide. City’s Rodri allows their other midfielders to roam freely. Arsenal’s system could benefit from similar positional clarity, with Palhinha as the defensive anchor, Rice as the driving force, and Ødegaard as the creative hub.

Why the Bayern “Failure” Doesn’t Matter

Palhinha’s struggles at Bayern Munich shouldn’t concern Arsenal. The Bundesliga champions play a different game entirely – slower build-up, more possession-based, less physical duels. These aren’t Palhinha’s strengths. His game is built around intensity, pressing, and winning second balls – qualities that thrive in the Premier League‘s chaos.

Joao Palhinha to Arsenal - Beyond Declan Rice
Joao Palhinha during his time at Fulham (Via Sky Sports)

Moreover, Bayern’s midfield was already overcrowded when Palhinha arrived. He was competing with Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and others for playing time in an unfamiliar system. At Arsenal, he’d have a clearly defined role with guaranteed minutes – the defensive specialist in a balanced midfield trio.

Read More: Keep or Sell Albert Sambi Lokonga? Arsenal’s Summer Squad Assessment

The Financial Logic

From a financial perspective, this move makes perfect sense. Bayern’s willingness to accept a €26 million loss creates an opportunity for Arsenal to acquire a proven Premier League performer at a fraction of his true value. When you consider that Norgaard cost £15 million and offers similar physicality but less Premier League experience, €30 million for Palhinha represents excellent value.

The Portuguese midfielder isn’t just a short-term fix either. At 30, he’s entering his prime years for a defensive midfielder – old enough to offer experience and leadership, young enough to perform at peak level for another three seasons. His contract situation at Bayern also strengthens Arsenal’s negotiating position.

Squad Depth or Tactical Revolution?

The question remains whether Palhinha represents squad depth or tactical evolution. Arsenal’s injury crisis last season exposed their lack of midfield options, but they’ve already addressed that with Zubimendi and Norgaard. Adding Palhinha suggests something more ambitious – a tactical system that can adapt to different opponents and situations.

Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta (via BBC)

Against teams that sit deep, Arsenal could play Rice higher with Palhinha screening. Against high-pressing sides, Palhinha’s experience and physicality could prove invaluable. In Europe, where tactical battles are won in midfield, having a specialist destroyer might be the difference between another near-miss and genuine success.

Arsenal’s midfield rebuild isn’t just about adding bodies – it’s about creating a system with tactical flexibility and defensive solidity. Palhinha, available at a bargain price, could be the final piece that transforms potential into genuine title-winning capability.

Read More: Rating Cristhian Mosquera’s Arsenal Transfer: A Promising 8/10 Signing

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Why Bayern Munich’s Reported €30M Loss on Joao Palhinha is a Strategic Win for Arsenal

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Joao Palhinha transfer might be a win for Arsenal

The numbers tell a stark story. Bayern Munich signed João Palhinha for €56 million in July 2024, yet the Bundesliga champions are now reportedly willing to sell him for around €30-35 million. That’s a potential loss of €26 million in just twelve months – a figure that would make most clubs wince. But for Arsenal, who reportedly made a concrete approach for the Portuguese midfielder, this could represent the bargain of the summer.

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While Bayern’s accountants might see red, Arsenal should see opportunity. The 30-year-old’s so-called “struggles” in Munich have more to do with tactical misalignment than any decline in ability. Palhinha has been plagued by injury issues and has not featured much in his inaugural season in Bavaria, but his fundamental qualities remain intact. Sometimes a player’s struggles aren’t about their ability – they’re about finding the right environment to flourish.

Read More: What Was Arsenal’s Starting XI When Granit Xhaka Last Played Against Sunderland?

The Premier League Joao Palhinha We Know

Let’s not forget what Palhinha achieved during his two seasons at Fulham. In his debut 2022/23 Premier League campaign, he made 148 tackles, a huge 48 more than anyone else, winning 84 of them – 27 more than any other player. The following season was equally impressive, as he made 152 tackles, 24 more than anyone else, winning 75 of them.

These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet – they represent a player who dominated the Premier League’s defensive statistics. During his spell at Fulham, Palhinha registered a passing average of 81.5%, his presence helping his team in transition, timing his challenges to secure possession while enabling counter-attacks. In the 2023-24 season, he not only led the entire Premier League with 147 tackles but also claimed Fulham’s Player of the Season award, amassing a dominant 68% of the fan vote.

This is a player who didn’t just adapt to the Premier League – he mastered it. The physical demands, the pace of play, the tactical nuances – Palhinha had already cracked the code. His move to Bayern represented a step into unfamiliar territory, but a potential return to England would be coming home.

Why Bayern’s Loss is Arsenal’s Gain

The reduced asking price fundamentally changes the risk-reward calculation. At €56 million, Palhinha needed to be an instant success to justify the investment. At €30 million, he becomes a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for a club that understands exactly what they’re getting.

Arsenal’s midfield has been crying out for a destroyer – someone who can break up play, win back possession, and provide defensive solidity. Palhinha consistently ranked among the Premier League’s top players for tackles, interceptions and duels won during his Fulham stint. These are precisely the qualities Mikel Arteta needs to add steel to his midfield.

The psychological aspect cannot be ignored either. At Bayern, Palhinha was the expensive signing expected to transform their midfield. The pressure was immense, and when injuries struck, the narrative quickly turned negative. A return to the Premier League would come with different expectations – he’d be the proven performer returning to familiar surroundings, not the big-money gamble trying to prove his worth.

Read More: Granit Xhaka’s Return: Can He Finally Silence His Premier League Doubters at Sunderland?

Perfect Storm for a Bargain

Bayern Munich prefer to sell him to a Premier League outfit, which gives Arsenal additional leverage in negotiations. The German giants know that Palhinha’s best performances came in England, and they’re realistic about recouping their investment.

Moreover, Bayern’s need to generate funds for other targets creates urgency on their side. When a selling club is motivated to move quickly, buying clubs with patience and clear targets often secure the best deals.

Joao Palhinha might return to the Premier League - this time probably to Arsenal
Joao Palhinha (Sempre Inter)

For Arsenal, this represents more than just a transfer – it’s a strategic opportunity to solve a key squad deficiency while rivals scramble for less proven alternatives. Sometimes the best signings aren’t the most expensive ones, but the ones that offer the perfect blend of proven quality and value.

Palhinha’s Bayern chapter might be closing, but his Premier League story could be just beginning its most successful chapter yet.

Read More: Jakub Kiwior’s Arsenal Future: Why Squad Value Beats €35M Sale

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What Was Arsenal’s Starting XI When Granit Xhaka Last Played Against Sunderland?

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Granit Xhaka last time played Sunderland Arsenal

It’s been quite a while since Sunderland last played in the English Premier League. The Black Cats, however, for the 2025-26 are back in the top-flight after sealing a dramatic promotion against Sheffield United in the Championship Playoff, thanks to a late Tom Watson goal.

And like every other newly-promoted team, Sunderland are looking to strengthen their squad to fight it out with English Football’s best. They have their eyes set on a former Arsenal vet, who is expected to make a shock return to the English Premier League.

The veteran in question? Granit Xhaka. The 32-year-old Swiss midfielder, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, and is one of their key midfielders, might once again return to the country where he spent 7 long years.

With Xhaka’s move to Sunderland looking a real possibility, here is a look at Arsenal’s starting XI the last time he played against ‘The Black Cats.’

Arsenal last faced off against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup Quarterfinals with Granit Xhaka as a substitute

It was the Carabao Cup quarterfinals back in the 2021-22 season. On the 21st of December, 2021, Mikel Arteta fielded a rather strong side, with Bernd Leno in goal. Rob Holding and Ben White were the centre-backs. It was White’s first year at the North London club, having arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Cedric and Nuno Tavares were the full-backs, with Mohamed Elneny being the holding midfielder. Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe were at the heart of Arsenal’s attacking midfield, with Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun on the flanks. Up-front was Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal Sunderland Granit Xhaka
Eddie Nketiah grabbed a hattrick that evening against Sunderland

Xhaka who was on the bench, came on for Balogun in the 56th minute of the game. It is worth noting that Ben White and Martin Odegaard are the only players who started that evening are still at the club.

Read More: Jakub Kiwior’s Arsenal Future: Why Squad Value Beats €35M Sale

Arsenal Earned A Thumping 5-1 Win Over Sunderland

Arsenal put on a rampant display that evening at The Emirates. An Eddie Nketiah hattrick, a Nicolas Pepe goal midway past the first half and a late Charlie Patino goal sealed the deal for the Gunners. For Sunderland, it was Nathan Broadhead who struck in the 31st minute.

Read More: Arsenal’s Masterstroke: How Ethan Nwaneri’s New Deal Prevents Another Serge Gnabry Scenario

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