The Gunners wanted to sign Bayern's star in January

Just like last season, Arsenal are leaders of the Premier League and just like last season, the crucial, last part of the season begins. Usually, Manchester City would overcome the Gunners and become champions, but this time Mikel Arteta’s team is much stronger and full of experience. It looks that they are finally ready to win the title for the first time since 2004, but the main reason is in the squad. This Arsenal team is without a doubt the strongest they had in years. The Gunners bough well in June 2025 and have depth in every single position this season. But when team “joker” Mikel Merino suffered a serious injury at the end of January, the club wanted to find a replacement fast, and they tracked one Germany star.

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Mikel Merino has made 33 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions this season and scored his sixth goal of the season in the recent defeat to Man Utd. With 11 goals and five assists in 2580 Premier League minutes since the start of last season, Merino's average of 0.56 goal involvements per 90 puts behind only Bukayo Saka, on 0.63, among Arsenal team-mates in the same timeframe. So, even thou he wasn’t always the starter in Arsenal’s strong midfield, he is very important for Arteta. So, when he got injured, the Spaniard wanted a cover, even in a form or a loan deal. Than’s when Arsenal reached for Leon Goretzka.

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While the whole of England talked about Sandro Tonali on the last day of the transfer window, as he was connected with the Gunners, it was the Germany international from Bayern Munich who was called, according to Bild. Goretzka is among Bayern’s highest earners and it was already discussed that he would be let go by the Bavarians, just like Thomas Muller, as he was not among the starters with Vincent Kompany anymore. So, Arsenal saw a chance to get a great midfielder with vast experience at a low price, and offered him a deal near the transfer deadline.

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Bild claimed that Goretzka didn’t not want to rush his future ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this June, choosing to stay put and ponder his options carefully. That’s why he rejected the offer, even though he gave statements during January that he is intrigued to start his career outside Germany for the first time. It is believed that Goretzka will leave his native country looking for another club but only when his contact expires. In the meantime, Bayern officially announced that they will part ways with their player come June. But the 31-year old will have plenty of clubs to choose from then and it’s unlikely that Arsenal will be among them. Clubs like AC Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham already expressed their interest in the player.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 25

Friday

Leeds - Nottingham Forest 3-1 (2-0)

/Bogle 26, Okafor 30, Calvert-Lewin 49 - Lucca 86/

Saturday

15.30: (1.62) Man.Utd. (4.60) Tottenham (5.10)

18.00: (1.25) Arsenal (6.25) Sunderland (15.0)

18.00: (2.90) Bournemouth (3.50) Aston Villa (2.50)

18.00: (3.40) Burnley (3.50) West Ham (2.25)

18.00: (2.15) Fulham (3.35) Everton (3.80)

18.00: (4.60) Wolverhampton (4.30) Chelsea (1.68)

20.30: (2.15) Newcastle (3.50) Brentford (3.60)

Sunday

17.00: (2.00) Brighton (3.60) Crystal Palace (4.10)

19.30: (2.35) Liverpool (3.80) Man.City (2.95)

***odds are subject to change***