Why does Arsenal prefer Chelsea players?

Kepa left Chelsea to join Arsenal.

Another name has left Stamford Bridge to join Emirates. Kepa Arrizabalaga is the latest name to join the list of Chelsea players wearing the red and white of Arsenal.

The fee of just £5m makes the deal seem small, but it continues a growing trend in English football. The route from west to north London has never been busier.

Since the summer of 2019, Arsenal have spent around £90m on players from Chelsea. In the last 7 seasons, they have made at least one such deal in 6 seasons.

After Petr Cech came David Luiz, Willian, Jorginho, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and now Kepa. Although each contract has its own color, behind that series of deals are very fundamental reasons, reflecting the typical transfer thinking of Arsenal in the post-Wenger era.

An easily overlooked but important point. None of the players mentioned above have left London.

For those who have a stable family, children studying, wives and children accustomed to life in the capital, only having to change the color of their clothes and not the city is an extremely attractive factor. They can stay in their old house or just move a few districts - a "soft move" that is much more acceptable than moving to another city or another country.

Another common denominator: most of the players who have moved from Chelsea to Arsenal are either in their 30s or close to it. David Luiz, Willian, Jorginho, Kepa - none of them are in their prime. These players often have few options at top clubs, because few clubs are willing to pay the wages that Chelsea offer.

The role of former sporting director Edu and coach Mikel Arteta cannot be overlooked. Edu is Brazilian, so it is not surprising that he favors compatriots like Luiz or Willian.

As for Arteta, he wanted Jorginho when he was an assistant at Man City. When the opportunity arose, the coach immediately acted. The familiarity of language, culture, and playing philosophy helped these deals become “buy fast - use immediately”.

Since Todd Boehly and the Clearlake Group took over Chelsea, the Blues have been on a tear, spending hundreds of millions of pounds on young players, and as a result, selling those who no longer fit into their long-term plans.

Kai Havertz is a prime example. Although he has not met expectations, he still has potential and market value. Arsenal quickly signed him, taking advantage of the chaos at their city rivals.

Kai Havertz also moved to Arsenal from Chelsea.

Even last season's loan deal for Sterling was motivated by Chelsea's need to free up their wage bill. Arsenal paid the minimum wage, with almost no risk, but added an attacking option.

The Kepa deal continues to be a typical example of that model. At 30 years old, Kepa is no longer the number one goalkeeper at Chelsea, nor does he have many opportunities to play in the first team. Moving to Arsenal - where he will be David Raya's backup - may sound like "taking a step back", but in reality it has many advantages. Staying in London, receiving a stable salary, playing for a championship-contending team and being considered more than a "barrier" in Chelsea's redundant squad.

For Arsenal, this is a bargain. They had been interested in Espanyol's Joan García but Barcelona snatched him for over £20m. Signing Kepa for just £5m is a sensible back-up option, with Premier League experience and little financial pressure.

That's the important question. Not every Chelsea signing has been a success at Arsenal. Willian is a prime example.

After just one lackluster season, he asked to terminate his contract with two years remaining. David Luiz also failed to make much of an impression, apart from a few erratic moments. Havertz is gradually asserting his worth, but it cannot be called a great success.

That said, a deal that works in theory does not necessarily translate into success on the pitch. However, Arsenal’s reasoning is still commendable. They have learned to “buy smart” instead of buying on impulse. And if they continue to maintain their current transfer discipline, it is possible that one day Chelsea fans will look at Arsenal and wonder: “Why do our players always play well… after leaving?”

Source: https://znews.vn/vi-sao-arsenal-chuong-cau-thu-chelsea-post1565500.html