Real Madrid send clear Arda Guler Arsenal transfer message after Carlo Ancelotti decision

Arsenal have been linked with Real Madrid prodigy Arda Guler in recent weeks but Los Blancos have sent a clear message about his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Gunners find themselves trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by nine point, with the January transfer window creeping closer. As a result, Mikel Arteta could turn to the market for additional inspiration if opportunistic deals present themselves.

One such transfer tipped to happen in recent days is a move for 19-year-old Guler from Real Madrid. The Turkish sensation has not been a regular starter for the La Liga giants, despite arriving with some excitement after taking up such a prominent role for his country at Euro 2024 and in the 2024 Nations League.

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Prior to the November international break and the circulation of these Arsenal rumours, he had made 12 club appearances in all competitions this term - nine as a substitute - totalling 307 minutes, therefore averaging 25.5 minutes per outing.

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted minutes will be hard to come by at the Santiago Bernabeu. "[Endrick is] ready to play, doing very well, showing a lot of quality in training. I say the same about Guler," the manager said two weeks ago.

"They are young people who are pushing. But the collective idea is to turn things around as quickly as possible. Can you do that with them? Yes. But the objective is to turn it around, that is the priority. Not to give minutes to one player or another."

Comparisons have naturally been drawn to fellow attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard, who joined Real Madrid in his teens but later found his way to Arsenal and realised his potential under Arteta.

However, in the wake of recent speculation Guler has got what he has been searching for in a Real Madrid shirt, his first start since September 21 by Ancelotti. Whether it is a show of faith to help phase out any transfer speculation, a reward for hard work or a way to combat his team's injury troubles, only Ancelotti can answer.

Nonetheless, Guler has started for Real Madrid in their La Liga meeting with Leganes on Sunday, and in the second half assisted Federico Valverde in a planned free-kick routine.