Arsenal considered a late move for a midfielder in the January transfer window.
Mikel Merino sustained a foot injury towards the end of the Gunners’ eventual 3-2 loss to Manchester United. The Spaniard required surgery that all but rules him out for the rest of the campaign. Merino’s absence saw the club ponder a dip into the market in the final knockings.
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Newcastle star Sandro Tonali was linked with a move to the Emirates on deadline day. A switch never came to fruition but the Italian remains subject to interest from England and abroad. Another player Arsenal reportedly considered was Bayern Munich man Leon Goretzka.
Arsenal the frontrunners for Goretzka?
The German has already confirmed he’ll leave Bayern once his contract expires at the end of the season. Arsenal supposedly pushed for the 31-year-old over the winter, but Goretzka was keen to see out the campaign with the Bavarian side.
Even so, Arsenal are believed to be keeping tabs on the former Schalke man. They won’t be the only side in for Goretzka this summer. However, the midfielder is believed to be keen to try his luck in the Premier League. The ball is, arguably, in Arsenal’s court.
An experienced head in midfield
And in truth, the addition of an experienced head in the middle of the park cannot be overstated. Granted, Mikel Arteta already has this option in Christian Norgaard. However, as effective as the Dane may be, Goretzka is arguably a level above. Crucially, he’d bring with him that winning experience, a mental quality honed during his time with Bayern.
He perhaps doesn’t have the legs in him to play the box-to-box role he once did his heyday. Conversely, as the midfield anchor, he’d prove the perfect cover and competition for Martin Zubimendi.
Goretzka, after all, is a handy distributor. Indeed, a 93.2% pass accuracy is the second best of central midfielders in the Bundesliga this season, and ranks fifth overall. This shouldn’t come as a shock for this dominant Bayern side. Vincent Kompany’s team have the highest possession return (67%) in Germany’s top tier this term.
Bayern are expected to dictate the tempo in the middle of the park. They are able to do so with Goretzka operating at the base of the side in Kompany’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup. By comparison, Arsenal rank fourth for possession (56.6%) in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Aiding Arsenal in the final third
While Mikel Arteta’s side are not the most overwhelming side in the division, they are able to dominate opponents when needs must. However, on the rare occasion they are forced to sit deeper, then a player of Goretzka’s skillset would help the team in more ways than one.
Standing at 6ft2in, Goretzka is no slouch. He uses his size and stature to good effect. The Germany international is able to cut the passing channels to help turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Bayern, after all, have scored more counter-attacking goals (11) in the Bundesliga this season.
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With the likes of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz on the books, that shouldn’t come as a shock. Arsenal, though, have struck just three counter-attacking goals in England’s top tier this term. A player of Goretzka’s size combined with his commendable reading of the game would open up a new goalscoring route for the north London side.
Set-piece threat
Given his standing, Arsenal would have another set-piece option to utilise. The Gunners have scored 19 goals from set pieces, excluding penalties, that return the most in the Premier League this season. An aerial threat himself, Goretzka would provide a further outlet from deadball situations.
And in truth, having a player of his calibre and skillset would give Arteta key options in the middle of the park. Arsenal already boast one of the strongest squads in Europe. Goretzka would add that winning mentality that has proven vital for big teams in the past, and will do so again in the future.
Goretzka may not be the most glamourous of footballers going but he provides a necessary duty in the middle of the park. As potential cover across a couple of vital areas, Arsenal would benefit from acquiring a midfielder of his calibre. On a free transfer, too, he’d be a smart pick up.
