Armando Broja has done wonders for Arsenal in the past week. It has been almost apt that the Albanian international is wearing red and white this season because his aid of the Gunners’ top-four hopes has been a welcome addition to the season.
He was crucial in both the win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and the draw at Old Trafford, damning Manchester United to yet another poor result under Ralf Rangnick. Arsenal meanwhile gave their top-four hopes a massive boost with a 1-0 win over Wolves.
Interestingly, it has come to light that Arsenal however are keeping tabs on Broja. football.london understands the Gunners are monitoring the striker with the club expected to spend big in this upcoming summer window.
On loan from Chelsea, Arsenal would need to pull off quite the coup to firstly convince the Blues to sell to a direct rival and secondly to sway Armando Broja that a switch to north London is the best for his career.
Chelsea do have Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, who can all play in the centre-forward position, making Broja’s chances of regular first-team football appear slim.
Meanwhile, at Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has left plus Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah see their contracts expire in the summer. Perhaps the chance to play consistently for the Gunners could convince Broja of a move.
However, whilst Chelsea would be unlikely to sanction the sale, except if Arsenal were willing to stump up a huge sum of money, the interest from the Gunners should worry the Blues and Thomas Tuchel.
For some years, Arsenal were an easy way for Chelsea to send their cast-offs such as Petr Cech, David Luiz and Willian.
All failed to progress the side forwards and the summer of 2021 saw Arsenal go in a much better direction in the market. The six summer acquisitions of ages 23 and under have helped to put the club in contention for the top four this season.
It gave Chelsea little-to-no concern seeing their ageing players join Arsenal knowing they were upgrading on them with players such as Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rudiger and Hakim Ziyech.
Like a big bully in a school playground, holding the Gunners at arm's length swinging some hand-me-down boxing gloves.
Edu and Mikel Arteta have recognised these errors of their own and past regimes and a move for Broja should be enough for Chelsea to be concerned and more aware of their London opponents.
With the Gunners so short in the striker department, however, they will almost certainly look for more than just the sole summer signing in the position.
Arsenal have been linked to several forwards, further along, their development than Broja is currently. Yet, the Albanian’s physical attributes could see him combine well with a player like Jonathan David from Lille.
The age profiles fit, and the prospect of the two combining is an exciting one. Arsenal fans will be on the edge of their seats come June to September to see who comes through the doors. Chelsea meanwhile will be nervously watching on now very much aware of the growing threat the Gunners pose.
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