This time last year, Arsenal had just three points to show from their opening four Premier League fixtures, only a nervy 1-0 win over Norwich City easing the growing pressure on Mikel Arteta. Flash forward 12 months, however, and it’s night and day, chalk and cheese; a worst start to a season in 67 years followed by their best since 2004.
With struggling Aston Villa travelling to the Emirates on Wednesday night, it would take a brave man to bet against Arsenal making it five wins from five.
But there is an ominous dark cloud brewing in the corner of an otherwise blue sky. Specks of drizzle falling from above.
Mohamed Elneny, stepping in for the injured Thomas Partey in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Fulham, will now need to be replaced himself. According to Goal, the Egyptian could be out of action for some time with a hamstring problem. Suddenly, the lack of high-quality depth available to Arteta – especially in the middle of the park – is starting to feel like a potential pothole in Arsenal’s road back to the top.
Will Arsenal bring in Palmeiras’ Danilo on deadline day?
That dark cloud does have a silver lining however. There is still time left in the window, and time left to bring in some valuable midfield cover. According to Gianluca di Marzio, Arsenal enquired about the Juventus-bound Leandro Paredes after news of Elneny’s injury filtered through. A proposed move for Idrissa Gana Gueye also came too late; the PSG misfit on the verge of an Everton reunion.
A deadline day swoop for Palmeiras ace Danilo, in contrast, feels distinctly possible. Per Goal, Palmeiras plan to reject Arsenal’s opening £20 million offer. But trigger his £30 million release clause, and the Copa Libertadores winners would be powerless to prevent the 21-year-old’s departure.
A new midfielder needed
This is not the first time Danilo, an energetic ball-winner who models his game on N’Golo Kante, has been linked with a move to North London. Both Arsenal and West Ham United enquired earlier in the year. Danilo’s agent also confirmed that Watford had also shown an interest.
Watford, now a Championship club, are in no position to splash out £30 million on a single player. West Ham, meanwhile, turned to Flynn Downes instead. And they are now prioritising other additions heading into the final day of the transfer window. A deep-lying ball-winner is no longer required, with Downes joining Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in David Moyes’ squad.
Arsenal, then, feel like not only the most likely destination for Danilo. But also the only one of his English-based suitors realistically likely to trigger that £30 million clause before the clock strikes 11 on Thursday night.
“He has to play in the Premier League,” says Palmeiras team-mate Dudu. “I always tell him: ‘You have to play for Arsenal’.”
Danilo may be about to do just that.
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