Former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has given his verdict on the club’s search for a new winger, backing AC Milan’s Rafael Leao over Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. Speaking in a Q&A session on The Residency app, Aubameyang made his preference clear when asked who Arsenal should target. His response was concise: “I like Rafa Leao!”
Arsenal’s need for a natural left-winger has become a talking point, with Mikel Arteta’s system favouring wide players who can isolate defenders and stretch the pitch. Leao fits that profile more naturally than Rodrygo, despite both having similar statistical output last season. The Portuguese international scored 12 goals and registered 13 assists in 50 games, while Rodrygo netted 14 goals and added 11 assists in 54 appearances.
Leao is a better suit to Arsenal then Rodrygo?
Leao, valued at £84 million, plays predominantly on the left flank and is known for his direct dribbling and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. That contrasts with Rodrygo’s broader versatility across the front line, which, while valuable, may not address Arsenal’s current tactical need on the left wing.
Arteta’s system leans on wingers who stay wide, hold width, and challenge full-backs. While Rodrygo offers Champions League experience and positional fluidity, he tends to drift into central areas, making him less suited to the specific role Arsenal are looking to fill.
Despite Aubameyang’s endorsement, a move for Leao appears unlikely this summer. According to TBR Football, the AC Milan winger has no interest in leaving the Serie A side at this stage. That stance makes a transfer difficult, if not impossible, in the current window.
Still, Aubameyang’s comments highlight what many Arsenal fans and pundits believe: the team lacks a dynamic, natural left-winger capable of stretching teams and creating space in the final third. Whether or not a deal for Leao materialises, it’s clear the search for a player with those attributes remains a priority.
