Arsenal news: Andrea Berta eyes ‘jackpot’ Real Madrid deal as Bukayo Saka’s position changed

We bring you two of the latest stories surrounding Arsenal as Mikel Arteta considers experiment with Bukayo Saka and the Gunners eye another potential left-back signing

Arsenal’s clash with West Ham on Saturday afternoon marked Mikel Arteta’s 300th game in charge of the Gunners. The Spaniard has revolutionised a club which was very much on its knees when he took over in late 2019, in terms of performances, mentality, results and the attitude of the fans.

He boasts the best win percentage of any Arsenal manager (59%), but the one thing that separates him from the likes of Arsene Wenger is a lack of major silverware. That’s something he hopes to change this season.

Arsenal are considered genuine contenders for the Premier League and the Champions League at this early stage of the campaign, despite not quite clicking due to their hard luck with injuries and still finding the best way to fit in their numerous summer signings.

That has not stopped the club making plans for the January window, however, with reports claiming they could swoop for a young star from Real Madrid. Meanwhile Arteta could be set for his next bit tactical switch to help their Premier League title bid.

Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two big headlines surrounding the Gunners this week.

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Andrea Berta eyes Real Madrid talent

Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Real Madrid’s 18-year-old defender Victor Valdepenas. Despite already adding Piero Hincapie to their impressive options on the left side of the defence, Andrea Berta is said to be a fan of the 6ft2in left-footed Valdepenas.

The Spaniard currently plays for Real Madrid’s second team, which looks to prepare their youngsters for the first team. And transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano says the Gunners are hoping he can be another Cristhian Mosquera, who they believe they “won the jackpot” with by signing for a meagre £13m.

Romano said on the Here We Go Podcast: “I have one name, he’s a talent that Arsenal have been monitoring for a few months now, and he’s a player they keep observing. It’s not going to be easy at all because he’s a Real Madrid player, but his name is Victor Valdepenas.

“He’s considered an important talent, a very young player from the Real Madrid youth sector. Centre-back, Spanish and talented, Arsenal have been monitoring him for some time, so he’s one of the players on the radar at Arsenal.

“We know very well how difficult it is to sign players from Real Madrid because all the players want to stay at Real Madrid and consider that as the best project possible, but for sure, Arsenal have been tracking and monitoring this boy.”

Romano added: “Arsenal really believe they won the jackpot by signing Cristhian Mosquera, because signing a player like Mosquera for £13m it’s a really fantastic opportunity they got on the market, to get a top centre-back, very fast, physical with big potential, super young.”

Saka and Eze position swap theory

Much has been said about how to get the best out of exciting summer signing Eberechi Eze. The former Crystal Palace playmaker started his first few Arsenal games on the left wing, where he was unable to influence the game as much as he would have liked, before being brought into his favoured No.10 role against Port Vale and Newcastle, where he thrived.

Both he and Bukayo Saka came off the bench for the midweek Champions League clash with Olympiacos, with Eze operating on the right due to Martin Odegaard’s involvement, and Saka scoring his goal from the left to secure a 2-0 win. That has led some Arsenal fans to call for Saka to be deployed more regularly on the left flank, which would allow Eze to operate in midfield and hand Noni Madueke, who was hugely impressive before his injury, a spot as a starter on the right wing.

Saka, 24, has developed into one of the best right wingers in world football over the past four seasons but can be equally as effective on the opposite flank, with eagle-eyed fans spotting both he and Eze thriving in their ‘new’ positions during a clip released of their training session this week.

When asked about Saka ahead of his 200th Premier League appearance against West Ham, Arteta highlighted the player’s incredible growth. He said: “When you were asking your question I visualised Bukayo playing as a left-back in my first game against Bournemouth. That’s the first thing that came into my mind.

“He’s come very far on the pitch and very far in his journey! The person he’s become and his role in the team now. It’s been a joy to see that every single day.”