Arsenal’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has taken an unexpected turn, with Roberto Firmino emerging as a potential target. The Brazilian forward, currently with Al Ahli, has been linked with a return to the Premier League after being left out of his club’s Saudi Pro League squad. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a crucial update that could put an end to Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.
Firmino’s time in Saudi Arabia has not gone as planned. After leaving Liverpool in 2023 following a highly successful spell, he signed a three-year contract with Al Ahli. However, in a surprising move, the Saudi club decided to remove him from their domestic league squad to make room for new signing Galeno. Despite this setback, Firmino is still eligible to compete in the AFC Champions League, leaving his situation somewhat uncertain.
Arsenal’s interest in Firmino stems from their ongoing injury crisis in attack. Several key forwards, including Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka, have been struggling with injuries, leaving Mikel Arteta with limited attacking options. As a result, reports suggested that the North London club might consider bringing Firmino in, especially if he could secure an early release from his Al Ahli contract.
However, Romano has now confirmed that, at this moment, Firmino will not be leaving Saudi Arabia. In his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter, he clarified that Al Ahli is determined to keep the Brazilian until at least the summer since he remains an important part of their Asian Champions League campaign. While circumstances could change, there are currently no signs of an immediate departure.
This update significantly reduces Arsenal’s chances of securing Firmino’s services during this transfer window. Given that the club cannot make a permanent signing outside the transfer window, their only hope would have been for Firmino to negotiate a contract termination, allowing him to join as a free agent. However, with Al Ahli firm in their decision, Arsenal will likely need to explore other options to reinforce their attack.
For Mikel Arteta, this development presents a considerable challenge. The squad’s lack of attacking depth has already forced him to experiment with unorthodox solutions. In Arsenal’s last game, midfielder Mikel Merino was deployed as a makeshift striker—a gamble that paid off as the Spaniard scored twice. While the improvisation worked in that instance, relying on such strategies is unsustainable for a club aiming for success in multiple competitions.
Unless Al Ahli unexpectedly changes its stance, Firmino’s potential return to the Premier League will have to wait. While Arsenal remains in urgent need of reinforcements, they must now shift their focus to alternative targets before the decisive phase of the season begins. Finding a viable attacking option will be crucial if they hope to maintain their title challenge.
With time running out, Arsenal’s recruitment team will need to act swiftly to address their attacking concerns. Whether they turn to another experienced forward or promote an internal solution remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Firmino will not be the short-term fix they had hoped for.
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