Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dream switch to Real Madrid has not unfolded quite as planned. But could a stunning transfer to Arsenal this summer breathe new life into the 27-year-old’s career?
Former England striker Teddy Sheringham believes it might. Alexander-Arnold departed Liverpool amid controversy last year, harbouring grand ambitions of cementing the right-back role in the Spanish capital with even the Ballon d’Or within his sights.
Yet he has grappled with both fitness issues and patchy form since his switch to Los Blancos. He came out second best in his tussle to permanently oust veteran star Dani Carvajal from the starting lineup and was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
The impending departure of Carvajal appeared to offer Alexander-Arnold encouragement that he could claim the position as his own next term. But his situation in Madrid may have just deteriorated further, now poised to fall under Jose Mourinho’s management, following the club’s agreement to bring in Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.
Meanwhile, Arsenal could be in the market for a new right-back after Ben White and Jurrien Timber endured injury-plagued campaigns last season. Natural centre-back Cristhian Mosquera frequently found himself plugging the gap for Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions last term.
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Former Manchester United striker Sheringham reckons that, while a Liverpool homecoming isn’t on the horizon for Alexander-Arnold, a contentious switch to north London might well be.
“Liverpool fans might not want him back, so it does narrow down where he could go, doesn’t it,” he told BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest World Cup odds. “He doesn’t immediately strike me as an Arsenal player, to be fair. I think they’re too strong and resilient and work as a proper back four unit. But they could make it work for him.
“Even if you have an organised back four with fantastic players, if you leave him on his own Trent looks all over the place, but that was true of Harry Maguire when Manchester United weren’t playing well. If you did that to Tony Adams or Steve Bruce, they’d have looked shocking.
View 3 ImagesTrent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool has been tipped for a move to Arsenal(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
“If you put Trent in an organised, structured back four, and they work as a unit, that’s what playing in a team like Arsenal is all about. If someone worked with Trent along those lines, coached him to get in the right position at the right times, then I’m sure he could improve in that position to give Arsenal that extra dimension that he brings to a team.”
Alexander-Arnold left the Reds having claimed two Premier League titles in five years, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Super Cup. Yet he endured a trophy-free first season in Spain.
View 3 ImagesTrent Alexander-Arnold would benefit Arsenal, according to one Premier League legend(Image: 2024 Liverpool FC)
Mourinho will be the full-back’s third manager since arriving at Madrid, following Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed at the turn of the year, and caretaker boss Alvaro Arbeloa. Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold has pledged to push on in Madrid, indicating he has no plans to leave anytime soon.
Sharing a post on Instagram at the close of the season, he wrote: “Madridistas, you have welcomed me with open arms. From the first day I arrived you have had my back. It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment but I feel completely at home now.
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“I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season!”
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