Arsenal passed on signing Federico Chiesa last summer, and with the Liverpool winger now facing the exit door, that decision looks increasingly well judged.
When Federico Chiesa joined Liverpool last summer, plenty of Arsenal fans were left wondering if the club had missed a trick. A Euro 2020 standout arriving on the cheap looked like smart business on the surface.
But fast forward 12 months, and it’s clear Arsenal dodged a bullet by walking away from the deal.
Chiesa was one of the names most frequently linked with Arsenal in the 2023 and 2024 windows. At his best, he is explosive, direct, and capable of turning a game on his own. At his worst, he is unavailable, and that’s the version Liverpool have been stuck with.
The knee injury he suffered at Juventus has not gone away quietly, and while Arsenal’s recruitment team might not get everything right, they clearly read this one perfectly.
Six league appearances. One start. That’s what Liverpool got out of Chiesa in his debut season. He’s now been left out of their pre-season tour of Asia, officially due to a “minor fitness issue,” but some at Anfield expect him head for the door.
Reports suggest Liverpool are ready to cut their losses, with Serie A clubs already circling.
Had Arsenal gone all-in, they’d be sitting with the same problem. Another player with long-term fitness issues clogging up the wage bill and offering little in return.
Given the problems Arsenal suffered last season, adding another unreliable body would have been negligent.
When fans talk about smart recruitment, they often focus on who you bring in. But sometimes the most important decisions are about who you don’t.
In this case, Arsenal’s restraint might have saved them a tidy sum and a season of frustration.