ARSENAL MAY REGRET LETTING FORMER YOUNGSTER GO AS DONYELL MALEN LIGHTS UP SERIE A
Arsenal’s long-running search for a reliable goalscorer could leave the club wondering what might have been after former academy prospect Donyell Malen made a sensational start to life in Serie A.
Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure in 2022, Arsenal have struggled to find a consistent number nine capable of producing elite goalscoring numbers. Kai Havertz has contributed when used centrally, while Viktor Gyökeres has yet to completely establish himself as the undisputed first-choice striker.
Despite considering several attacking options during previous transfer windows, Arsenal ended the 2026 summer without signing another centre-forward.
Meanwhile, Malen has been thriving in Italy.
The Dutch forward, who joined Arsenal’s academy from PSV in 2015, spent two years in north London but never made a senior appearance before returning to PSV for around £540,000 in 2017.
After developing into a first-team player at PSV, Malen moved to Borussia Dortmund and later returned to England with Aston Villa. However, he struggled to secure a regular starting role there before eventually moving to AS Roma.
Now 27, Malen has emerged as one of Serie A’s standout attackers. He has scored six goals in his opening four league matches, putting him at the top of the scoring charts and matching a feat previously achieved by Roma legend Francesco Totti.
His impressive performances have also earned him a WhoScored rating of 8.0, currently the highest in Serie A.
😳 THE ‘TOO FAT’ CLAIM
Malen previously revealed that comments about his fitness during his Arsenal academy days contributed to his frustration.
He recalled hearing then-head of youth development Andries Jonker describe him as arriving at the club “too fat,” something Malen strongly rejected.
The Dutchman maintained that he was never overweight and said Arsenal had actually wanted to extend his contract before he eventually returned to PSV.
With Malen now flourishing as a goalscorer in Italy, Arsenal supporters may be left wondering whether the club could have benefited from keeping hold of their former academy talent.
The versatile attacker can operate both through the middle and on the wing — qualities that could have been useful to Arsenal following the departures of several attacking players.
