Arsenal shown what they're missing out on after Raphinha's two responses to Edu

Barcelona sar is starting to look like 'the one that got away' for .

The Gunners' attempted to land the Brazilian star just before he elected to leave Leeds United for in July 2022. Despite Mikel Arteta's sporting director admiration, the 27-year-old , where he initially struggled to translate his ability onto the pitch under then manager, Xavi.

Raphinha's position at Barcelona began to look shaky just six months after his arrival with Barca starlet making the right wing his own. The writing looked to be on the wall for Raphinha, forcing Arsenal to show their hand once again and launch a fresh bid for the player in January 2023.

Nevertheless, despite the Gunners' resurgence as and title challengers, Raphinha again rejected the north London club's advances in favour of toughing it out at the Camp Nou. Since Hansi Flick's arrival as Barcelona manager, Raphinha looks reborn - a clear testament to the player's mental fortitude.

With nine goals in 13 appearances this season, and the captain's armband now in tow, the £57million man perhaps turned in his finest performance to date on Wednesday night as he helped Barca dismantle Bayern Munich in the Champions League new-look league phase with a devastating hat-trick.

Finally handing Munich the defeat the Catalonian side had been desperate to inflict after a series of defeats to the Bundesliga giants, as he put the German giants to the sword, handing them their second defeat in the Champions League this season.

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Seeing Raphinha storm Bayern's back-line over and over again will have been a bittersweet sight for Arteta and Edu, but just did Raphinha come to joining Arsenal? Raphinha was looked upon by the Arsenal hierarchy as a player who could provide staunch competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli and also a player who could operate in the false nine position if needed.

Arsenal made contact with Raphinha’s agent Deco in the summer of 2022, directly, according to Sky Sports. However their interest was quickly rebuffed.

After Chelsea then beat Arsenal to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk in January 2023, Arteta switched his attention to the winger once again. Regardless of Raphinha's ongoing battle to impress in Catalonia, stated that the player still had no interest in a winter switch to Arsenal.

The Spanish outlet also added that Raphinha was “clear” in his belief that he would become a success and that his "dream" was to become a certified star at Barcelona. At the time, wounded from the double-blow of losing out to Mudryk and Raphina, Arteta was in a reflective mood claiming: “We will do the deals we can do and the ones we feel are right for the club.”.

However, according to Spanish media, as per, the door could still be open for Arsenal to make their move. The outlet reports that, in spite of Raphinha's emergence as one of Barcelona's best players this season, the Catalan giants would still consider a hefty bid for the wide man should they receive one.

With the Brazilian's stock as high as it's ever been, reports state that cash-rich duo Manchester City and Newcastle are interested in bringing Raphinha back to the Premier League. While some teams from the Saudi Pro League have also expressed their interest.

However, if Arsenal finally want to bring the man they've had their eye on since 2022 then, according to reports, they may need to shell out as much as £100million to land the 27-year-old. Barcelona are said to believe that earning double on what they paid for Raphinha would represent a ‘financially enticing deal.’