Juventus midfielder Arthur is climbing Massimiliano Allegri’s pecking order despite growing reports linking him with a loan move to Arsenal.
The Brazilian underwent surgery at the beginning of the season and was therefore forced to miss the opening matches of the campaign.
He played his first match of 2021-22 on October 17 against Roma, coming off the bench for the last 15 minutes.
The former Barcelona man started the first game of the campaign in a 2-1 loss over Verona on October 30.
He fell in the pecking order in November, making just two appearances in Champions League (33 minutes in total) and remaining on the bench in five games from five in Serie A.
Arthur started two games in December, one against Serie A strugglers Cagliari at the Allianz Stadium and one against Malmo in the Champions League with the Bianconeri who had already obtained the qualification for the Round of 16.
Oddly, his status at Juventus is changing now that he’s been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
Arthur played four of Juventus’ last five Serie A games in Serie A, started against Sampdoria earlier this week and was introduced as a substitute in a Supercoppa showdown against Inter on January 12.
He still isn’t a regular starter at the Allianz Stadium, but the playing time he has collected recently suggest Juventus need a replacement before sending him to Arsenal. That’s one of the reasons why the Bianconeri haven’t yet allowed the 25-year-old to move to North London.
Juventus also want the Gunners to include an option to buy before finalising the deal.
If he continues to build chemistry with Locotelli, I wouldn’t let him leave. He has had bad luck as every time he gets a few games of good form he gets an injury.
He really is a fantastic player. When at Barcelona, i always enjoyed watching him in the middle of the park.