Bayern Munich and Germany legend Manuel Neuer has made a surprising revelation about a past approach from Arsenal, while current Gunners captain Martin Odegaard has highlighted the team spirit after a crucial victory over Brighton.
Neuer's Revealing Admission on Gunners' Interest
Manuel Neuer, the 39-year-old goalkeeping icon, has confirmed that Arsenal tried to sign him before his rise to global fame. The approach came while Arsene Wenger was still in charge at the Emirates, with the Frenchman's famed scouting network identifying Neuer as a young talent emerging from Schalke's academy.
In a candid interview on the 'At Broski' podcast, Neuer explained his decision. "After the under-19s, Koln were very interested in me, and so were Arsenal," said the 2014 World Cup winner. "At the time, Arsene Wenger was still the coach and spoke many languages. But I didn’t want to go abroad because I knew how difficult it is as a young goalkeeper."
This early career choice proved definitive. Neuer, now in his 20th professional year, has never played club football outside of Germany. He left Schalke for Bayern Munich in 2011 and has since made 581 appearances for the Bavarian giants, winning two Champions League titles among a host of honours.
Odegaard Applauds Rice's Adaptability in Brighton Win
The narrative of squad versatility was central to Arsenal's recent 2-1 Premier League win against Brighton. Captain Martin Odegaard was full of praise for teammate Declan Rice, who was forced into an unfamiliar right-back role due to a defensive injury crisis.
With Jurrien Timber pulling out before the match and Riccardo Calafiori injured in the warm-up, manager Mikel Arteta had to think creatively. The solution was to deploy the England midfielder in defence, a move that drew significant acclaim.
"It was an unbelievable performance from him," Odegaard stated after the match. "To play right-back, probably the first time in his life, and then do it the way he did it today was unbelievable, so a really, really good performance from him."
The Norwegian midfielder emphasised the collective mindset, adding, "And that's just our team. Everyone is ready to do whatever it takes, and that [Rice's performance] was another good example of that."
Leadership and Rivalry Within the Squad
Odegaard's public commendation of Rice is particularly noteworthy given the external debate about the club's captaincy. Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams has been a prominent voice suggesting Rice should replace Odegaard as skipper, even claiming the Gunners "are not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain."
By so openly praising a player some see as a rival for the armband, Odegaard demonstrated a mature and team-first attitude. His comments suggest a strong, unified dressing room focused on results rather than individual status, a positive sign for Arsenal's title aspirations as they prepare to host Aston Villa.
The stories of Neuer's near-miss and Rice's adaptability bookend a tale of recruitment and resourcefulness at Arsenal. One highlights a legendary path not taken, while the other underscores the flexible, committed ethos driving the current squad's challenge at the top of the Premier League.
