“Once beaten twice shy” goes the old saying, and that’s exactly what Laliga champions Athletico Madrid are doing to Arsenal.
Last season, Arsenal pulled off what was seen as a football coup as they signed Ghanian midfielder Thomas Partey from under the nose of the Spanish side after paying the release clause to Laliga authorities without fully getting the consent of the club management.
Partey who was a key member of the team at the time left unceremoniously and joined up with the Gunners. He has since not been able to replicate his fine form in England as he has been plagued with injuries since his arrival, but the bottom line is that Arsenal does not have a smooth relationship with them.
That seemingly smart move months ago is now threatening to put a log in the wheel to sign want-away English right back Kieran Trippier, who joined up with them 2 years ago from north London rivals Tothemham Hotspurs.
Even though he has experienced a successful stay in Spain, winning the Laliga with his team just last season—his display for England at Euros was also very encouraging—but he has not made the team in the two weeks of football this season, a clear indication that he is not in the plans of Diego Simone.
However, with Arsenal having the worst start to a footballing campaign with two straight defeats, 4 goals conceded and none scored, desperation has set in for manager Mikel Arteta who is looking to shore up his leaking defence line. Trippier’s name has popped up to fill in the gaps due to his vast experience in the league but apparently Diego is not ready to be beaten twice by the Arsenal side.
They have insisted on collecting his full release clause of 34 million price or nothing. At age 30, that looks like a long shot but they are not ready to bulge on any offers below their valuation.
Trippier who was also linked to Manchester United earlier in the transfer window will not mind any chance to become a gunner even though he was part of the fierce rivals Spurs for a long time. It is decision time and time is not on the side of the English side as the transfer window is just a week before shut down.
Will Arsenal be forced to cuff out the whole sum to salvage their season for a 30 year old without any chance of a resale? The time is ticking, fast.
It is either now or never as results in the coming weeks will determine if the manager will still have a job come the half of the season.
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