Arsenal ‘closely monitoring’ Spanish midfield gem loved by former Gunner Cesc Fabregas

Elche's Rafa Mir and Rodrigo Mendoza. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)

Arsenal’s march toward the Premier League title continued at the weekend with a resounding 4-1 victory over north London rivals Spurs.

Eberechi Eze—who famously came close to joining Spurs in the summer—netted a sensational hat-trick, becoming one of the few players to achieve the feat in the derby.

The result keeps the Gunners top of the league and in exceptional form.

However, manager Mikel Arteta isn’t just focused on the present. The Spaniard is also planning for the future and has reportedly set his sights on one of Europe’s most exciting young prospects.

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are “closely monitoring” Spanish midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, evaluating a potential move for the 20-year-old. The Elche playmaker, a Spain youth international, has impressed in La Liga this season and attracted attention from several top clubs.

The Telegraph claims Arsenal’s scouting team has been tracking Mendoza’s development, with the player reportedly carrying a €20m (£17.5m) release clause. Interest is expected to be fierce, as the midfielder is also on the radar of some of Spain and Italy’s biggest sides.

Real Madrid are known to have long admired Mendoza, a creative midfielder often compared to Barcelona’s Pedri. Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, now managing Como, is also an admirer of the youngster.

A move away from Elche is more likely to happen next summer than in January, though a winter transfer can’t be completely ruled out. Should a club meet his release clause, Mendoza would become the most expensive player ever sold by Elche.

With Arteta at the helm, Arsenal are building not just for immediate success but for sustained growth. Strategic signings like Mendoza—paired with the development of existing talent—highlight the club’s long-term vision.

If Arteta continues to blend young prospects with his established core, the Gunners could remain title contenders while laying the foundations for future dominance in English and European football.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.