Arsenal Poised to Pipped Spurs at the Post in Brentford's Schade Swoop

Picture this: a North London derby off the pitch, where Arsenal are flexing their muscles against Tottenham Hotspur in the chase for Brentford's flying winger Kevin Schade. It's the kind of transfer scrap that gets the blood pumping, especially with Mikel Arteta eyeing a left-flank upgrade. And according to reports from James Holland at TEAMtalk, the Gunners hold two massive edges that could leave Spurs nursing their wounds.

From German Roots to Premier League Star

Schade didn't just stumble into the spotlight. The 24-year-old German international cut his teeth in the Energie Cottbus academy before hopping over to Freiburg's setup in 2019. He racked up 36 first-team outings there, enough to catch Brentford's eye during a loan stint.

The Bees shelled out a cool €25 million to make it permanent in summer 2023, and boy, has he delivered. Versatile as they come – left winger or centre-forward – he's bossed it from the flank, notching seven goals and three assists in 30 games this season. Teaming up with Igor Thiago, he's become one of those 'nearly top-six' terrors who terrorise the big boys.

Clubs with deeper pockets are now circling, and Schade looks primed for the leap, much like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, or even Ivan Toney before him.

Gunners' Secret Weapons in the Schade Stakes

Enter Arsenal, who've reportedly chewed the fat internally about nabbing him. With Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard needing proper competition, Schade fits the bill as Arteta's wide-man wonder. Sources whisper he's been on their radar, and their interest is hotting up.

But here's the rub – and Arsenal's first ace: their chummy relationship with Brentford. They've already plundered David Raya and Christian Norgaard without too much aggro. 'That goodwill could smooth the path,' one insider notes, as per CaughtOffside via TEAMtalk.

Advantage number two? Europe. While Spurs might be waving cheerio to continental footy next term, Arsenal are still dreaming of a quadruple. Who wouldn't pick Champions League nights over Thursday Europa League slogs? It's the kind of pull that turns heads in transfer talks.

Spurs, Europe Giants, and Brentford's Headache

Don't write off the competition just yet. Tottenham are long-time fans, but no Europe could cramp their style. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan are also sniffing around, per earlier TEAMtalk scoops.

For Spurs, it'd sting extra – remember Eberechi Eze? The Crystal Palace chap was Spurs-bound last summer until Arsenal hijacked the deal for £67.5 million. Eze, a boyhood Gunner, couldn't resist the Emirates call. History repeating?

Meanwhile, Brentford under Keith Andrews face a nightmare: Chelsea eyeing Thiago too. A double raid would leave them reeling.

Arsenal aren't stopping there. French whispers say they're in talks for a €70 million 'crown jewel', and they've got a green light on Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez as striker bait. Arteta's shopping spree is in full swing.

So, lads, if you're an Arsenal punter, crack open the tins – Schade could be the next Bees-to-Gunners gem. Spurs fans? Might be time to drown those sorrows. Watch this space; the window's about to get wild.

(Word count: 512)