There were few Arsenal transfer targets that split the fan base like Philippe Coutinho. Known for his world-class displays in the Premier League in a Liverpool shirt, his move to Barcelona significant lowered his stock.
To think at the age of 29 he is now trying to restart his career in the English top-flight at Aston Villa represents the right decision made by Arsenal. That said, the Brazilian has come back fighting strong and has four goals and three assists in his nine Premier League games so far.
Arsenal face Villa this Saturday and Coutinho will represent the toughest opponent in Steven Gerrard’s team. The Birmingham-based side have come a long way since the comfortable 3-1 loss to the Gunners at the Emirates last year.
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Ahead of the match, Mikel Arteta was questioned on Coutinho and his answer perhaps provided greater context to the view of what the summer transfer window might hold. Asked whether Coutinho was considered, the Spaniard said that the side went down an alternative route.
“We looked at many different players with qualities that he obviously had and, in the end, we went with a different option,” he said.
Then 22-year-old Martin Odegaard was signed in the summer and the Norwegian has been an integral part of the Arsenal team. The key difference between the pair is the age profile. This is becoming a trend at Arsenal and when Arteta was last asked about the characteristics he would look for in a striker, the theme continued.
"He has to have a certain age, a certain level of experience, and he has to be able to come here and play under the pressure of being at Arsenal,” Arteta explained in an interview with Sky Sports.
Age is clearly very important to what Arteta is building at the club. When considering the central midfield and striker options, the separate quotes from the Arsenal manager can effectively rule out moves for a number of linked players.
Robert Lewandowski has been touted as an Arsenal target having yet to discuss a new deal with Bayern Munich. However, the 34-year-old despite his quality, would be far outside the bracket Arteta is considering.
Supporters have called on Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse to be of consideration for the central midfield position. The England international turns 28 in November and would be the first signing made of 27 years or older since Thomas Partey in 2021.
What Arteta’s hypothetical unwritten rule does not exclude is moves for some of the top young talent touted to be of interest to the club. At striker, Benfica forward Darwin Nunez has been regarded as one of the best talents in his age category.
He, alongside Jonathan David and Alexander Isak, make up a strong list of candidates for the Gunners to consider. Arteta needs to secure the striker to own the number nine role for the foreseeable future and all of the aforementioned trio have impressed.
In central midfield, Youri Tielemans, Ruben Neves and Fabian Ruiz are all 25 years and younger and have seen their own links to the club. The idea behind signing younger players with experience of playing top-level football for several seasons appeals greatly to Arteta.
Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Magalhaes all featured regularly in one of Europe’s top five leagues before their arrival. If Coutinho is the blueprint of what the club are not looking for, it limits the club somewhat but the available talent remaining is still wide-reaching.
