Arsenal made surprise deadline day move to sign Bayern Munich star after Mikel Arteta's plea to replace injured Mikel Merino
Goal | 06.02.2026 10:21
According to reports from BILD’s ‘Bayern-Insider’ podcast, Arsenal were not just monitoring the situation but actively "intervened" with a formal proposal shortly before the deadline. Arteta is said to be a long-term admirer of the German international, valuing his unique blend of tempo, physicality, and box-to-box dynamism - attributes that have made Goretzka a mainstay in European football for nearly a decade. However, the move was ultimately complicated by the player's own desire for a structured exit from the Allianz Arena.
