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Arsenal are likely to explore the signing of a new left-winger at the end of the season when the summer transfer market opens
Arsenal will weigh up the prospect of signing a new left-winger at the end of the season but they are now unlikely to consider a swoop for Real Madrid's Rodrygo after he ruptured his ACL on Monday night against Getafe.
The Brazil international, who is set to miss the World Cup, was considered by the Gunners last summer but the 25-year-old decided to remain with the Spanish giants and fight for his place under Xabi Alonso.
Rodrygo struggled for minutes at the Club World Cup and was in and out of the Real Madrid side during Alonso's short-lived stay at the Bernabeu.
He has also since endured separate fitness issues following the appointment of interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa and question marks remain over his long-term future with the La Liga club.
The attacker will only have two years left to run on his Los Blancos contract come the end of the campaign but the Brazilian is now facing an extended period out as he requires knee surgery.
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Given Arsenal are due to assess their wide options ahead of the 2026-27 season, Rodrygo would certainly have formed part of their thinking.
But the Gunners are now expected to swerve a deal given there's a high likelihood the player will not be ready to return to action until the back end of 2026.
Real Madrid would command a huge fee to part company with the flying forward and it would feel somewhat risky to stump up big cash when Rodrygo will not even be fit for the start of next season.
Rodrygo has since posted on Instagram, writing: "One of the worst days in my life, how I was always afraid of this injury, maybe life's been a little cruel to me lately.
"I don't know if I deserve it, but, what can I complain? I've experienced so many wonderful things, that I also didn't deserve. A big obstacle has emerged in my life, in my career, and that prevents me from doing what I love most for a while. I'm out for the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country, a dream that everyone knows how much it means to me. And all I have left is to be strong as ever, that's nothing new.
"Thank you everyone for the prayers, texts and love! You guys are so important to me. Even though it's a very difficult moment, I promise not to stop here, I believe I still have many amazing things to live and to make everyone who trusts me happy, it's just a see you soon. God is still in control of everything."
Leandro Trossard's Arsenal contract is due to expire in 2027 while Gabriel Martinelli's also runs until the same year, though Arsenal have a 12-month extension option they can formally trigger to protect his value.
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