Arsenal Eye Rodrygo as Richards Urges Left-Wing Splash

Could Rodrygo be on his way to north London? (Image: Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Micah Richards believes Arsenal's No. 1 transfer priority should be a left-sided attacker, naming Real Madrid's Rodrygo as the player who would "solve problems" for them.

Arsenal kicked off the 2025/26 Premier League season with a hard-fought win over Manchester United , with Riccardo Calafiori 's header in the first half ultimately separating the two rivals at Old Trafford.

Mikel Arteta flexed his newfound strength in depth, with the Gunners substituting on the likes of Noni Madueke , Myles Lewis-Skelly , Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber during the second half.

However, Richards is adamant that the north Londoners can still add to their armoury before the transfer window shuts. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast to detail exactly what Arsenal are missing right now, he said: "You know what's really good about Arsenal now, I still think they're a left winger short or left forward short.

"But if you look at Arsenal's bench today, you know Ben White started with Calafiori, and Lewis-Skelly last season was outstanding and Timber – he [Arteta] can change the full-backs now and not affect the team. The quality doesn't go down, so that would help him as long as everyone stays fit throughout the season.

"Merino, the impact he had, Madueke come on – although I prefer Madueke on the right hand side rather than the left."

Discussing the left wing and who Arsenal should be going all out for, Richards continued: "I just look at that position on the left hand side and think if they could sort that. When they were linked with Rodrygo, that could solve a lot of problems for them.

"But yeah, nevertheless, it's a massive win away from home, and it just gives you the momentum that you need for the start of the season."

Micah Richards (Image: YOUTUBE/@therestisfootball)

Rodrygo has long been linked with the Gunners throughout the summer window, after he saw his role at Madrid reduced further during the FIFA Club World Cup. New boss Xabi Alonso started the 24-year-old just once at the tournament, and former manager Carlo Ancelotti didn't prioritise utilising the forward last season either.

As Tottenham Hotspur look to be closing in on Arsenal's other attacking target , Eberechi Eze, the most-linked alternative would be Rodrygo. However, despite the north London side being one of many Premier League clubs interested in the young Brazilian, Alonso has admitted he is "counting on everyone" this season at Madrid .

Currently, Rodrygo is one of six attackers that the Madrid boss has named to take on Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night – but that doesn't guarantee a place in the starting XI.

If the 24-year-old is planning on potentially departing the Spanish giants for some more regular first-team football, then Arteta could be the man to tempt him to the Premier League this season.

Madrid value Rodrygo at around £86million (€100m), and are said to be open to letting the player leave if he wishes to do so.

As the transfer window doesn't shut until September 1, Arsenal do have time to negotiate and find their perfect star man on the left, whether that be Rodrygo or someone else. Meanwhile, they could also offload further fringe players to boost their budget and make space in the squad, such as Fabio Vieira.

Rodrygo has been a longtime target for Arsenal this summer (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Arsenal have already added to their attacking line this season, with Viktor Gyokeres and Madueke both signing. However, Richards believes that if Arsenal want a chance at Premier League glory, then they'll need to either sign someone like Rodrygo, or identify another left forward star to help this new campaign.

Co-host Gary Lineker believes that Arsenal will get another shot at title glory if they continue in the form they are in now, without losing any players through injury. Following Richards' cry for a left attacker, Lineker said: "Yeah if Gyokeres does hit it off, they [have a chance].

"That's added to the fact that they now look like they've got a bit more strength in depth, and if they can avoid perhaps one or two of the big injuries they had last season – most notably Odegaard and Saka, and then Havertz towards the end of the season – then you know, they'll have a real chance."

Next up for the north London side is a visit from newly-promoted Leeds United, as the Emirates Stadium hosts Arsenal's first home game of the 2025/26 campaign at 5.30pm on Saturday.