Arsenal are among the clubs closely monitoring Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder who only recently signed for Manchester City, with a meeting scheduled soon to discuss his immediate future at the Etihad.
The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they battle Pep Guardiola’s side for the title. Even if City win their game in hand, the gap would shrink to just two points, leaving Mikel Arteta’s men firmly in the driving seat. It is a familiar script: Arsenal and City have gone toe-to-toe for the crown in each of the past three seasons, with the Gunners finishing second to the Citizens twice and second to Liverpool last term while City placed third.
History shows Arsenal have successfully raided City before. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus both arrived at the Emirates and immediately improved Arteta’s squad. Now the north London club are eyeing another former City man — except this time the target is still wearing sky blue.
Caught Offside reports that Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United in the Premier League, plus Reijnders’ old club AC Milan in Serie A, are all tracking the situation. Yet it remains unclear whether any of those clubs view the 24-year-old as a genuine priority.
Elite credentials, but limited minutes
Reijnders arrived at City boasting eye-catching numbers: 92 stamina, 88 % passing accuracy and an elite game IQ that allows him to dictate tempo and read the game several moves ahead. He exploded into life in the Premier League, registering three direct goal contributions in his first five appearances. Since then, however, his output has dried up. He has been an unused substitute in each of City’s last four matches as the season reaches its decisive phase.
A source close to the situation told Caught Offside: “Reijnders and City will most likely meet at the end of the season to clarify the situation. There’s not currently any push from the player to move, and the club won’t necessarily want to let him go so soon.”
Why Arsenal should think twice
That lack of trust from Guardiola is exactly why Arsenal must proceed with caution. When the Gunners previously signed Zinchenko and Jesus, both players had become peripheral figures at a City side that was still dominant but not yet untouchable. Arsenal were the hungry challengers looking for proven winners.
The dynamic has shifted. Arsenal are now arguably the stronger team in this title race. Signing a midfielder who cannot force his way into Pep Guardiola’s XI at the most critical moment of the campaign sends a curious message. If the City manager — a master of squad rotation and big-game management — does not believe Reijnders can influence the biggest fixtures, Arsenal’s recruitment team should take note.
Should the Dutch international rediscover his early-season spark, City’s reluctance to sell would only harden. Conversely, if his current bench role continues, Arsenal would be acquiring a player whose elite stamina, pinpoint passing and sharp football intelligence have yet to translate into consistent impact at the highest level.
Reijnders is undoubtedly talented. He possesses the physical and technical tools to thrive at a club like Arsenal. Yet talent alone is not enough when the Premier League’s two powerhouses are separated by the finest of margins. At this stage of their evolution, the Gunners need proven, battle-hardened match-winners — not another project who is still fighting for trust at the club he just joined.
For now, the rumour mill will keep turning and the end-of-season meeting will be watched closely. But if Arsenal are serious about ending their long wait for the title, they must be ruthless in their recruitment. Tijjani Reijnders may be available, but that does not automatically make him the right fit. Sometimes the smartest move is to walk away — even when the player in question looks every bit the midfield general on paper.