Real Madrid makes a spectacular swap offer to Arsenal for William Saliba.

According to reports, Real Madrid offered to trade Rodrygo for William Saliba, but Arsenal turned it down.

Even though the Gunners defeated Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday to begin their Premier League campaign, the team’s performance against the Red Devils was alarming.

While United had 61% of the possession and produced 22 shots against the Londoners, striker Viktor Gyokeres did not produce a single shot during the match.

If it weren’t for the team’s strong defense, led by center-back Saliba, manager Mikel Arteta might have lost the first game.

According to Marca, Arsenal promptly turned down a proposed trade deal that would have sent winger Rodrygo to the Emirates in exchange for the Frenchman, who has been linked to Real Madrid.

Over the past few seasons, William Saliba has arguably been one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Arteta has benefited from his defensive prowess and possession skills.

There are just two years left on the Frenchman’s contract, so there’s no need to freak out, but Real has demonstrated with Trent Alexander-Arnold that they can persuade top players to extend their contracts.

Bukayo Saka, an Arsenal talisman, has two years left on his contract. Although the two seem content at the Emirates, they do not have the awards that their skill merits.

The Gunners have placed second in each of the last three Premier League seasons, and if they are unable to take the top spot once more, the two players questioning their futures when they would have just a year left on their deals.

Striker Gyokeres must play regularly in the final third for Arsenal to finish first in 2025–2026, but the Swede did not make an impression at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners struggled against United as a team, scoring only 0.28 goals from open play. It appears that the team hasn’t yet addressed their creative issues from the previous season.

Compared to Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo is much more at ease between opposing lines, and his ability to influence play against deep blocks may help the Londoners create more opportunities for Gyokeres.

Arteta’s team might gain a lot from having the Los Blancos forward on board, assuming there is the money to buy him.