Arsenal have been linked with long-serving Barcelona player Pedro Rodriguez this summer, with the Gunners monitoring his situation with the Catalans. The Spanish international has been on the periphery for the last two years, and last season had the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez keeping him on the bench. His chances of game time don’t look likely of improving in 2015/16, which sees a host of European sides on red alert to secure his signature.
Despite being reduced to an impact player, Barcelona have no immediate plans to let their long-serving academy starlet leave this summer, nor has Pedro made a public request to exit the Nou Camp. However, he might be convinced to play a starring role in the Arsenal attack alongside a former club teammate in Alexis Sanchez, an international teammate in Santi Cazorla, and a long-term La Liga foe in Mesut Ozil.
Arsenal have brought in stellar names in the last two summer transfer windows to the surprise of their supporters, and Pedro would more than add to what they have. It takes a talented individual to last so long at a club that has seen the likes of Ronaldinho, David Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic brought in and subsequently moved on. Barcelona have the best strike force in the world, so it’s hardly surprising Pedro cannot force his way into the starting eleven on a regular basis.
Despite the lack of game time last season, the Spanish international still scored and created 12 goals in 15 league starts. He has excessive pace, a deft touch on the ball, and quick feet to ghost past defenders. Wenger would be licking his lips at the prospect of having such an experienced and successful player to operate on the opposite flank to Alexis Sanchez, and he wouldn’t break the bank either. The majority of Pedro’s appearances came from the bench, and he only featured so much from the starting eleven because Luis Suarez was banned from playing until October last year.
The Uruguayan formed a formidable partnership with Messi & Neymar that yielded over 120 goals last season, so manager Luis Enrique is unlikely to alter the attack ahead of the new season. Pedro has a lot to ponder this summer, and Arsenal play in a similar mould to Barcelona so he should settle at the Emirates quite quickly. Arsenal have been moving forward with some impressive acquisitions in the summer transfer markets (Mesut Ozil in 2013, Alexis Sanchez in 2014, Petr Cech in 2015), and Pedro’s influence could well see more stars follow him through the door in the future.
