Real Madrid's dressing room reaction to Vinicius Jr's Arsenal transfer speaks volumes

The reported reaction inside Real Madrid's dressing room to Vinicius Jr's failed move to Arsenal paints an agonising picture for the Gunners

Vinicius Junior came so close to joining Arsenal that some of his Real Madrid team-mates were left stunned when the move failed to materialise.

That's according to reports in Spain, which claim several Los Blancos stars had become convinced that a blockbuster switch to the Emirates Stadium was all but inevitable. Speculation linking Vinicius Jr with Arsenal emerged as the Gunners continued their search for an elite forward.

The Brazilian was considering his future at the Bernabeu after a turbulent season, with two managers coming and going and tensions reportedly bubbling beneath the surface in the dressing room. As talk of a potential £150million deal intensified, many Arsenal supporters began to believe they could pull off one of the biggest transfers in football history.

But Vinicius ultimately stayed in Madrid after agreeing a lucrative new contract with Real. Some suggested the 26-year-old had used Arsenal's interest as leverage in his negotiations, but a number of his team-mates apparently believed he really was on his way to north London.

According to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, some inside the dressing room considered the transfer a "forgone conclusion." Two weeks before Vinicius extended his Real Madrid contract, Arsenal signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, with the Greece international now the club's only natural left winger following the departures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Tzolis made an encouraging start to life in north London, providing two assists in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield. However, his attacking output has tailed off since then, with his only subsequent goal contribution coming in the form of an assist during Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

With Mikel Arteta's squad looking a little short of natural options on the left, Arsenal are expected to revisit the possibility of signing another winger in the future. Their interest in adding more firepower to that position is unlikely to disappear, particularly if Tzolis is unable to maintain his early impact.

Vinicius Jr, though, is unlikely to be among their targets. The Brazilian has committed his future to the Spanish capital, putting an end to the uncertainty that surrounded his position at the club during the summer.

His new deal also means Arsenal would face a daunting task if they were to try and prise him away from the Bernabeu. Vinicius remains one of the most valuable forwards in world football and, having recently signed fresh terms, Real would have little incentive to consider selling him.

Interestingly, the 26-year-old has made a relatively quiet start to the new campaign under Jose Mourinho. After eight games, Vinicius has scored just once, a notable drop-off from his blistering start to last season.

At the same stage of the previous campaign, he had already found the net six times in his first eight La Liga appearances. His current tally is therefore a long way short of the standards he has established in recent years, although Real will hope his form improves as the season progresses.

For Arsenal, meanwhile, the search for a long-term solution on the left could continue. The club came remarkably close to landing one of the world's elite wingers this summer, but with Vinicius now tied down in Madrid, their attention will have to turn elsewhere.