Gabriel Martinelli was strongly linked with a move away from Arsenal during the summer transfer window, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich both showing interest in the attacker. Despite that attention, no agreement was reached, and he remained at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta was reluctant to lose a key attacking option at such a critical stage, particularly as the club was focused on maintaining competitiveness across all competitions.
Arsenal Weighing Future Options
Although Arsenal strengthened their squad with new additions, there was still a belief within the club that Martinelli could contribute more to the team. His pace, work rate and ability to stretch defences remain valuable assets, and Arteta opted to keep him rather than sanction a departure. However, that stance may shift after the conclusion of the current campaign, especially as Arsenal continues to assess how best to evolve its attacking unit.
The club has now joined the race to sign Antoine Semenyo, who has been in outstanding form and is regarded as one of the most impressive attacking players available. Arsenal is keen to add him to their squad, viewing him as someone who could immediately strengthen their options. With Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka already providing efficiency and consistency on the right wing, Semenyo would likely operate on the left side. This would increase competition for places, directly affecting Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in terms of game time.
Potential Sale to Fund New Signing
The pursuit of Semenyo comes with financial considerations. According to Football Insider, Arsenal would need to sell a player before they could realistically compete for his signature. Within that context, Martinelli has emerged as the most likely candidate to be moved on. While Trossard also occupies a similar position, Martinelli is considered the more valuable asset and would generate a higher transfer fee.
From a business perspective, selling Martinelli would provide Arsenal with greater financial flexibility in the market. His profile and previous interest from elite European clubs suggest he would attract significant attention. As a result, if Arsenal decides to reshape its attacking options and proceed with a move for Semenyo, Martinelli appears the most logical player to sacrifice.
Any final decision will depend on Arsenal’s broader plans and the balance they wish to strike between squad depth and financial sustainability. For now, Martinelli remains part of the project, but his long-term future could be reassessed once the season draws to a close.
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Would be a great addition
It’s also apparent that he is a Gunner.
I really like Martinelli, however if we are serious about Semenyo, he would probably have to go.
The timing also makes it a bit of a tough one. Trossard turns 32 next year, if this is a Summer deal, it could be to replace him for the long term future.
If Semenyo signs in Arsenal can repeat the same trick like what they did to Saliba, Martinelli can be loaned out to Marseille for one or two years with clauses for obligation to play 25-30 league matches.
I think Martinelli is past that point in his career.
I haven’t seen or heard anything from the club that backs up the views given in a this article regarding Martinelli.
Quite the opposite in fact.
Mikel has clearly stated that Martinelli is part of his plans for the future.
Why on earth would the club think of selling a player who is capable scoring goals such as the one against Bayern Munich for example?
Perhaps we should stop trying to find Saka at every opportunity and use the left hand side better?
Because a few goals in the champions league doesn’t negate the horrendous league form he has shown these last three seasons. Every time Martinelli has a good game he reverts back to the poor headless chicken he is at the very next game. Martinelli is good for twenty mins at the end of a game against tired legs. This should not hold us back from signing a superior player and selling Martinelli
Ken1945,
You mean we have a left side to. 🤦♂️😂
Well said Ken.
I also think Gyokeres is suffering from it going through Saka all the time as often he is cutting in to try to score goals and not passing to our no 9. Probably part his nature and part that he has been so instrumental to our last 3 years of wins
But we know people double defend Saka so we should try and use the left or over the top just to change it up. We need to play much quicker also as this side to side waiting for an opening doesn’t work as teams know now just to sit tight and leave no space.
For me Martinelli should stay but I think he is best as the ‘finisher’ when defenders are tired and his pace can help him break away
I doubt we want to spend that much on Semenyo at this stage .
I read about perhaps a bid for Guehi…not sure he would come unless Gabriel has a setback
Will be interesting Jan window to see what Berta has planned.. may also depend on injuries. Sad to see Havertz delayed further till mid Jan !
Nobody said “a few goals in the CL” so get your facts right to begin with.
His “horrendous league form he has shown over the last three seasons” and yet the article is saying that he’s more valuable asset to sell than Trossard.
“Headless Chicken” – “No footballing brain” are just two of the non educated things said about our Brazilian international and yet, in the next breath, one expects to sell him, even though he’s “only good for twenty minutes at the end of a game against tired legs.”
The lack of thought by some of our “fans” is breathtaking, but, of course, they always need a scapegoat to vent their frustrations against.
Thank goodness Mikel knows what a valuable player he is to the club and that’s what counts.
Semenyo would be a great signing
Better then what we have
Better than Saka, Martinelli, Trossard and Madueke Dan?
As in on the left mate ?
All four have played down the left side during their career at the club Dan, so the question still stands.
Oh easy then , yes on the left yes he’s better then those 4
OK mate.
I am pretty sure he scored from the right during midweek!
I’m surprised that so many pedestrians on this platform is saying some unprintable things against Martinelli. In as much as I like the purchase of Semenyo, however, selling of Ronaldo-like Martinelli is completely off the discussion. Rather, Trossard should be sacrificed. Arteta’s poor tactics is killing both Martinelli and Gyokeres – Remember that no attacker has ever scored 20 Premier league goals under Arteta for this his 6 years at Arsenal if not Aubameyang who has scored most of his goals before his mid season arrival.
Last season Arteta deployed Martinelli on the right position, with a left footed player as our attacking midfielder, he got the best result of his coaching career by spanking Man City 5-1. He quickly dismantled that formula in order not to hurt his annoited Saka who ten appearance on the right against Man City only produced one winning! So our coach is our problem
If it’d unprintable it means you have not seen it so how would you know ?