Arsenal Fail In Their Pursuit Of 17-year-old Attacking Midfielder: Was He Going To Be Important For The Gunners? | OneFootball

Interest in young Argentine talent continues to set the pace in the European transfer market. Teams with history and ambition are looking to strengthen their squads with promising players who can make a difference in the long term. In this context, Franco Mastantuono, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder, caught the attention of giants such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arsenal Fail In Their Pursuit Of Franco Mastantuono

However, Real Madrid has beaten them all in the competition. According to Graeme Bailey in TBR Football, the Spanish club have managed to secure his signing, leaving the three English clubs out of the running. The move confirms a strong commitment to the future from the Santiago Bernabéu.

EZEIZA, ARGENTINA – JUNE 3: Franco Mastantuono of Argentina looks on during a training session at Lionel Andres Messi Training Camp on June 3, 2025 in Ezeiza, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

T4O Opinion:

In Arsenal’s case, the interest was concrete. Mikel Arteta was looking to ease the creative burden on Martin Odegaard, his central figure in the attacking midfield. Franco Mastantuono fit the profile the club needs: vision, technique and potential. The idea was to offer a viable alternative in tight games, where the Norwegian has had to take on too much responsibility without sufficient support.

However, the London club will now have to look for other options. According to the same report by TBR Football, one of the names being mentioned is Morgan Rogers. The sporting management does not have much room for error if they want to compete on all fronts next season.

Losing Mastantuono is not just a setback for Arsenal; it is a symptom. The team’s creative structure is overly dependent on a single player. If Odegaard gets injured or his performance drops, the team is exposed. Mastantuono could have offered a way out. It is not just a question of talent, but of balance. Betting on a young player with room for growth is a fundamental decision. Without him, they must react intelligently.

There are options. Morgan Rogers is interesting, although less technically refined. Another candidate could be Arda Güler, who has limited playing time in Madrid. However, the ideal would be to find a player who can take on responsibility without needing years to adapt. An attacking midfielder with instinct, vision on the first touch, and the ability to float between the lines. There is talent, but choosing well is urgent. Arsenal cannot afford to fail again, as the market is short and the competition is unforgiving.