Arsenal’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements has led them to a surprising name—Roberto Firmino. 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 an important update that might put an end to Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.
Firmino’s move to Saudi Arabia has taken an unexpected turn. After leaving Liverpool in 2023 following a highly successful tenure, he signed a three-year deal with Al Ahli. However, within months of his arrival, the Saudi club decided to exclude him from their league squad to make room for new signing Galeno. Despite this setback, he remains eligible to play in the AFC Champions League, creating an unusual and uncertain situation for his future.
Arsenal’s interest in Firmino has emerged due to an injury crisis among their attacking players. Key forwards like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka have all struggled with injuries, leaving manager Mikel Arteta short of reliable attacking options. As a result, reports suggested that the North London club might look to bring in Firmino, particularly if he could negotiate an early contract termination with Al Ahli.
However, Romano has now made it clear that Firmino is not set to leave Saudi Arabia anytime soon. Writing in his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter, he stated that Al Ahli remains firm on keeping the Brazilian forward until the summer, primarily because they still plan to use him in their AFC Champions League campaign. He also hinted that while the club’s stance could change, for now, no departure is on the horizon.
This news significantly reduces Arsenal’s chances of securing Firmino during this transfer window. With the window closed, the Gunners would have only been able to sign him if he had become a free agent. However, Al Ahli’s decision to retain him means Arsenal will likely need to explore alternative options to strengthen their attack in the coming months.
For Arteta, this is a disappointing development. His squad has been stretched thin due to injuries, forcing him to make unconventional tactical decisions. In Arsenal’s most recent match, he had no choice but to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker. While the move paid off with Merino scoring twice, such improvisations are not a long-term solution for a team competing on multiple fronts.
Unless Al Ahli has a sudden change of heart, Firmino’s potential return to the Premier League will have to be postponed. Meanwhile, Arsenal must shift their focus to other attacking targets who can provide the necessary firepower as they aim to remain competitive in the league and European competitions.
With crucial fixtures ahead, Arsenal’s lack of attacking depth remains a concern. Whether Arteta turns to an internal solution or pushes for an emergency signing, the next few months will be critical in determining the club’s fate in their pursuit of silverware.
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