“Arsenal Sold Me for Just £540,000 and Called Me ‘Too Fat’ — Now I’m One of Serie A’s Best Players”
Arsenal could be regretting their decision to let former academy prospect Donyell Malen leave after the Dutch forward emerged as one of the most dangerous attackers in Serie A.
The Gunners have struggled to find a consistent goalscorer since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed in 2022 following his falling-out with Mikel Arteta. Although Kai Havertz has performed well as a false nine, and Viktor Gyökeres arrived with huge expectations in 2025, Arsenal are still searching for a reliable centre-forward who can deliver goals consistently.
Despite their attacking concerns, Arsenal failed to sign another striker during the summer of 2026. Meanwhile, one of their former youngsters is enjoying a sensational campaign in Italy.
Donyell Malen Is Thriving at Roma
Malen joined Arsenal’s academy from PSV Eindhoven in July 2015, spending two years developing at Hale End. However, he never made a senior appearance for the Gunners before returning to PSV in August 2017 for a reported fee of just £540,000.
The Dutchman subsequently established himself in senior football, earning a move to Borussia Dortmund in 2021. His impressive performances later convinced Aston Villa to bring him back to England in January 2025.
However, regular first-team football remained difficult to secure at Villa Park. Despite scoring 10 goals in 46 appearances, Malen moved to Roma on loan in 2026 before completing a permanent switch to the Italian club that summer.
Since arriving in Rome, the 27-year-old has developed into a key figure under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Malen has made a blistering start to the 2026/27 Serie A campaign, scoring six goals in his first six league appearances to lead the competition’s scoring charts. He also became only the second Roma player to reach that milestone across the club’s opening four league matches, matching a feat previously achieved by Francesco Totti in the 2001/02 season.
His European performances have been equally impressive. Malen has already recorded two goals and an assist in two Champions League league-phase appearances, including a brace against Real Madrid in a thrilling 4-3 defeat.
With Arsenal’s current attacking options struggling to deliver consistently, his performances could leave the North London club wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Why Malen Left Arsenal
Malen previously explained that joining Arsenal was a dream come true because of his admiration for club legends Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
He began with the Under-18s, scoring 11 goals in 21 games before progressing through the youth ranks. However, despite his potential, Arsenal eventually allowed him to return to PSV.
The forward later revealed that comments about his fitness had contributed to his frustration during his time at the club.
Malen recalled overhearing former Arsenal head of youth development Andries Jonker suggesting that he had arrived overweight. He disputed the claim, explaining that Arsenal had already been training for two months before he joined and that he naturally needed time to reach the same fitness level.
He also insisted that money was never his motivation for playing football, adding that he would not have left England if financial gain had been his priority.
Could Arsenal Regret Their Decision?
With Malen now flourishing in Italy, Arsenal may have missed out on a versatile attacker capable of playing both as a centre-forward and on the wing.
His remarkable form has arrived at a time when the Gunners are still searching for greater consistency in attack. While his development might not have been easy to predict during his teenage years, his current performances demonstrate just how far he has progressed since leaving North London.
Arsenal let him go for £540,000. Today, he is lighting up Serie A — and his incredible form could leave the Gunners wondering what might have been.
