There is no denying that both Arsenal and AC Milan have fallen from the heights they had achieved in the past. From regular Champions League qualifiers, winners in the case of the Italian side, and league title contenders to scrapping back after years of poor decision-making in the transfer market.
Whilst Serie A has seen a significant regression of Juventus recently, opening the door for the two Milan clubs to battle it out again for the league title, Arsenal have continued to attempt to rebuild whilst Manchester City and Liverpool remained at the top.
Therefore, when links to Milan forward Rafael Leao began to surface in the last week, the Italian clubs’ supporters took exception. Valued at £31.5 million by Transfermarkt it is unlikely that Milan, were they to sell, would allow the 22-year-old to leave for so little.
In response to an article from The Arsenal Way discussing the possible reunion of Nuno Tavares and Leao, who both played together at Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy, some Milan supporters described a switch to Arsenal as a “downgrade.”
Martino Puccio, Serie A Betting contributor to The Athletic’s Fantasy section, claimed there was ‘0 reason for Rafa to downgrade.’
From a personal perspective, removing the historical difference between the clubs and focusing on the present-day projects of both teams, I see little difference in what the two can offer.
Puccio argued that Milan can offer better scouting and coaching, a Serie A title fight and likelier participation in the Champions League.
It is true that Milan are closer to the Serie A title than Arsenal are to the Premier League's own trophy. However, Arsenal are current favourites to finish in the top four amongst their rivals and the argument regarding scouting and coaching appears inaccurate. Especially when considering the recent work into the club's squad refurbishment and the scouts brought in during the last 18 months.
Both Arsenal and Milan sank to their lows through a combination of poor executive decision-making and poor choices in the transfer market. Both teams now have plenty of young players but the Gunners have greater potential in their group. The Premier League offering of greater financial reward furthers the Gunners favour in the debate.
This shouldn’t be an argument about upgrading or downgrading. Both clubs can offer plenty and certainly equal opportunity to be part of projects with momentum.
A move for Leao to Arsenal would neither be a step up nor a step down in the current context of both teams' footballing landscapes.
Additionally, the idea that one person’s perspective on a team will be the same as everyone else’s or that there is ‘fact’ in these debates is often very wide of the mark.
How one player looks at Milan or Arsenal will be different to another based on a variety of social, economic and sporting factors.
Yet some appear to believe it to be far more binary. India-based Milan fan Vimal Adhithan replied to the aforementioned piece arguing from his perspective, the Italian side have always been “bigger” citing the global perception as a reason.
Whilst from an individual perspective, especially that of a fan situated abroad, it may appear that the global reach of your club is massive, and Milan certainly are. However, it is easy to underestimate the worldwide pull and attraction of the Premier League.
The AC Milan main Twitter account for instance has 8.1 million followers compared to Arsenal’s 18.6 million. On Instagram, Milan’s 11.6 million followers again falls short of the Gunners’ 21.2 million.
Regarding club value, according to Forbes as of April 2021, AC Milan is worth $559 million (£412m) and ranks 16th in the world. Whereas Arsenal, on the same site, are considered to be worth $2.8 billion (£2.06 billion) and ranked ninth.
Historically, as an Arsenal supporter myself, I can only dream to have as much success as Milan have had during their existence. However, sitting in 2022 the difference between the two projects when taking into account all the factors is minimal at best.
The reality is that Leao looks likelier to remain with Milan, reports emanating from Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claim that despite a financial hitch, the Portuguese star is keen on staying.
Arsenal have plenty of alternative options for forwards with Jonathan David and Patrik Schick my own personal preference for the two striker spots that will need filling. Let’s hope the Gunners can convince them to make the switch to north London.
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