Gilberto Silva Pushes Arsenal to Sign Rodrygo in Ambitious Transfer Plea

Gilberto Silva’s message reignites the Rodrygo Arsenal Transfer Push as Arteta evaluates a Brazilian superstar with elite potential

Former Arsenal midfielder and World Cup winner Gilberto Silva has publicly encouraged the club to resume their pursuit of Rodrygo transfer, calling him a “fantastic” and high-ceiling player capable of thriving in the Premier League. Silva believes Arsenal should not let initial hesitation deter them, noting that Rodrygo fits the club’s culture and long-term ambitions.

Silva revealed that he has crossed paths with Rodrygo a few times but stressed he isn’t fully aware of the player’s private situation with Arsenal. He admitted that at the start of the season he thought Rodrygo would have been a “fantastic” signing for the club. He also noted that Rodrygo appears unlikely to get meaningful minutes under Xabi Alonso at Madrid, describing it as a waste of ability for such a gifted player to spend long stretches on the bench—despite strong competition for wide roles at Arsenal as well.

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Silva emphasised Rodrygo’s expressive versatility, explaining that he can excel from the left wing and operate fluidly across other attacking positions. Silva boldly stated on talkSPORT when asked if Arsenal should make another move: “If Rodrygo is unhappy and an opportunity to bolster the team presents itself, Arsenal should definitely explore the deal.”

Still, he acknowledged that Arsenal’s depth on both flanks could make the Emirates a complicated destination for a player seeking guaranteed starts.

Why Silva Rates Rodrygo So Highly

Gilberto Silva, a vital member of the Invincibles, rarely makes bold comparisons. Yet he surprised many by claiming Rodrygo possesses even greater natural talent than Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. His praise comes at a pivotal moment for Rodrygo, who has struggled for consistent game time under Xabi Alonso this season, featuring for just over 450 minutes across all competitions.

Those limited opportunities have fuelled growing speculation that Rodrygo could soon seek a move abroad—leaving a potential opening for Arsenal.

Arsenal briefly explored a Rodrygo deal in the previous summer window, but their £250 million spending spree pushed priorities elsewhere. Now, with the squad leading the Premier League and competing on multiple fronts, Silva insists that world-class upgrades should always be part of Arteta’s thinking.

Rodrygo represents exactly that level of upgrade. His pace, balance, tight control and ability to shift between forward roles blend naturally with Arteta’s positional-play philosophy. As Arsenal push for trophies, adding a dynamic attacker who can break low blocks and adapt tactically could be transformative.

The £70 Million Dilemma — and Rodrygo’s Playing Time Concerns

Rodrygo’s price tag sits near £70 million, creating a significant financial debate for the club. Yet Silva suggests the bigger barrier may be the player’s concern over playing time. With Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all commanding major roles, Rodrygo might worry about competing for minutes.

Silva believes Arsenal can address that issue by outlining a precise long-term plan, showcasing the club’s Champions League ambitions and presenting Arteta’s clear vision for his role.

As January approaches, expectations suggest Arsenal will likely keep their business conservative. However, Silva’s strong endorsement could shift internal discussions—especially if Rodrygo becomes increasingly frustrated with his Real Madrid situation.

Whether Arteta chooses to act remains uncertain, but Silva’s message is firm: Rodrygo has the quality to elevate Arsenal’s attack and push the club closer to Premier League glory and Champions League success.

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