Whilst defeat at Wembley against Manchester City would have stung, Arsenal are still on course to win the Premier League and could yet advance in the FA Cup and Champions League.
The quadruple remains a fantasy, though some will argue it always was, but history could still be around the corner. And should it arrive, the Gunners will have Andrea Berta to thank for how he’s built a side finally ready to end Arsenal’s trophy drought.
He’s taken the torch from Edu Gaspar and then some since arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer. In the space of a year, he has added the final touches that his predecessor was often left deliberating over.
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They may be different sporting directors, but Edu and Berta have largely showcased the same ideas in North London. Crucially, both have benefited from shopping locally.
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For the former, it was Declan Rice and Ben White who arrived as established Premier League stars. For Berta, it was Eberechi Eze last summer.
For all the data which may point to the next best thing around Europe or in South America, Arsenal have proved that sometimes the answer is right in front of them. And no one epitomises that more than Rice at the heart of Mikel Arteta‘s midfield.
The England international arrived for as much as £105m in 2023 and has been worth every penny ever since. Now an early Ballon d’Or candidate and one of the best midfielders in the world, it’s fair to say that Rice has more than helped to transform Arsenal.
He’s not the only Premier League star to enjoy success after completing such a move, however. Eze has proven to be a big game player and White was there when times were still tough at the Emirates.
Now, Tino Livramento could be the next in line. According to club insider Hand of Arsenal, Livramento wants to join and Arsenal have commenced talks to sign the Newcastle United right-back.
Indeed, the insider reported that the Toon full-back would “jump at the chance” to move should Arsenal firm up their interest, while revealing that the Gunners have “enquired about” his services during early talks.
Why Livramento could be another Rice for Arsenal
The Newcastle man won’t come cheap. Manchester City were even outpriced by the Magpies last summer when they demanded as much as £70m to sell their defender.
Arsenal have had no trouble spending such money in recent years, however, and Livramento could have the same effect as Rice by taking the Gunners up a level or two.
With White’s future becoming uncertain and Jurrien Timber showing signs of fatigue at this stage of the season, a player of Livramento’s calibre could quickly cement his place as Arsenal’s starting right-back next season, proving to be another Rice-like success when buying from within the Premier League..
|
Premier League stats per 90 25/26 |
Livramento |
Timber |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
1,164 |
2,457 |
|
Assists |
0.08 |
0.18 |
|
Tackles |
1.55 |
2.42 |
|
Recoveries |
5.64 |
3.55 |
|
Possession won in final third |
0.31 |
0.26 |
The Gunners’ biggest problem this season has been their ability to create in open play. With Bukayo Saka struggling to get involved and the responsibility often lying with the likes of Timber to push forward, it’s been the same old story.
That’s why signing Livramento should be a priority. The Newcastle man steps onto the front foot better than Timber, even if his assist numbers don’t show it.
He wins back possession more often in the final third and makes more recoveries, which would help Arsenal to transition far quicker than they have done this season.
That added outlet would have been crucial against Man City at Wembley. When the Citizens cut off the passing lane to Martin Zubimendi and Rice, Arsenal were left without a line-breaker. Then, when they were forced to go long, they couldn’t make the ball stick.
Livramento’s ability to recover possession would have certainly made things easier. Instead of being blocked in, the right-back would have set the tone by stepping on to the success that his numbers show he’s capable of.
Off the pitch, meanwhile, Arsenal would have a player with similar leadership qualities to Rice, with Theo Walcott going as far as to say that Livramento is a “future England captain”.
On that evidence, he certainly ticks a lot of boxe and investing in another Premier League-proven player as Rice was, is certainly a good idea.
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