Despite the surrounding chatter, Arsenal’s center forward situation is quite clear. The club has recognized the need for reinforcement in this area and has spent the summer engaging with representatives of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokores. Eventually, they will commit to acquiring a new striker who can deliver the goals that were lacking in their offense last season.
However, complexities arise when it comes to enhancing their forward line. Arsenal is also pursuing a wide attacker—specifically on the left wing—who can perform at the same level as Bukayo Saka does on the right. Three years ago, it appeared that Mikel Arteta might have already found that player in Gabriel Martinelli, who was on the verge of a breakout season, netting 15 Premier League goals. His sharpness around the box and synergy with Gabriel Jesus made him a fearless threat on the field.
While flashes of that player have surfaced over the past two years, they have been less frequent. In the last two seasons, Martinelli has scored just 14 Premier League goals and provided eight assists. He remains effective, with significant contributions that go beyond mere statistics, as evidenced by his impressive underlying metrics. His expected goals and assists combined stand at 0.49, a figure that many Premier League wide players would envy.
Cashing in on Martinelli?
It’s important to clarify that Arsenal does not intend to sell Martinelli, as confirmed by CBS Sports sources. Each player has a price, and even a club like Arsenal might consider an offer, but there’s no pressure to offload the winger to fund new acquisitions.
Interest in the 24-year-old Brazilian is apparent, with Bayern Munich showing admiration and links to clubs in Saudi Arabia emerging. Al-Nassr has discussed the forward internally, but no formal proposal has been made, and they are not preparing to submit a bid at this time. Notably, sources close to Martinelli indicate he is not inclined to move to the Saudi Pro League now, as he aims for a spot in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad and believes his best shot lies within top-tier European football.
From Arsenal’s perspective, Martinelli remains a valued asset, having logged considerable minutes over the past three seasons, surpassed by only five players. His form was further rewarded with a new contract in late 2023, extending his commitment to the club until 2027, with an option for an additional year. At 24, his peak performance may still be ahead of him.
Rodrygo as a Potential Solution
In light of interest from Saudi clubs, Arsenal is also monitoring Brazilian international Rodrygo as a potential option to strengthen their wings. His presence at Real Madrid has diminished since Xabi Alonso took charge, and if he opts to leave, Arsenal would be a prominent suitor. Meanwhile, Saudi team Neom SC is preparing a substantial bid for Rodrygo, adding another layer of complication to Arsenal’s transfer strategy.
