While the situation at center forward for Arsenal seems relatively clear despite fan noise, the club has consistently sought to bolster this position. They have engaged with representatives for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres and their clubs this summer, signaling their intent to invest in a new striker to boost their goal tally after last season.
Completing the attack presents more complexity. Arsenal are also targeting a wide attacker, specifically for the left flank, aiming for a player who can deliver the kind of superstar performance Bukayo Saka provides on the right. Just three years ago, it appeared Mikel Arteta might already have that player in Gabriel Martinelli. At that time, Martinelli was poised for a breakout season, leading Arsenal`s scoring with 15 Premier League goals. The Brazilian showed sharp instincts near the box, combined effectively with Gabriel Jesus, and played with apparent fearlessness.
That level of performance has been seen more sporadically in the two seasons since, yielding just 14 Premier League goals and eight assists. Martinelli remains a valuable player, with contributions beyond just goals and assists. His underlying metrics are respectable; a combined 0.49 non-penalty expected goals and expected goals assisted (npxG+xAG) is a figure many Premier League wide players would be satisfied with.
However, Arsenal`s aspirations are higher, and to compete for major trophies, they might need an exceptional talent on the wing to complement Saka. Can Martinelli reach that level, and how would increased competition for his spot affect him?
Cashing in on Martinelli?
According to sources, Arsenal is not actively looking to sell Martinelli. While any player in the squad has a potential price tag, there`s no internal pressure to offload the winger to generate transfer funds.
That said, Martinelli, who is 24, does have admirers. Bayern Munich is reportedly interested, and links to Saudi Arabia have also surfaced. Sources indicate that Al-Nassr has discussed the forward internally but has not submitted a formal proposal to Arsenal and is not currently preparing a bid.
Crucially, sources close to Martinelli suggest he is not inclined to move to the Saudi Pro League at this stage of his career. His focus is on securing a place in the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, and while some players from Saudi Arabia have been included in the `Seleção`, Martinelli believes his best chance lies in playing at the highest level in European football.
From Arsenal`s perspective, Martinelli remains a valued member of Mikel Arteta`s squad, even if his goal output has slightly decreased. Only five players have accumulated more Premier League minutes for the club over the past three seasons than the Brazilian. His contributions were recognized with a new contract in late 2023, keeping him at the club until 2027 with an option for an additional year. At 24, his peak years may still be ahead.
These qualities make Martinelli an attractive prospect for other clubs. However, unless Arsenal receives an exceptional offer, their priority is to add to their strong attacking options rather than making a direct replacement. This puts the club in a favorable position.
Amid Saudi interest, is Rodrygo the answer?
Rodrygo, Martinelli`s Brazilian international teammate, is a prominent name among the options Arsenal is considering to reinforce their wings. This interest is understandable, especially as the 24-year-old appears to be becoming less central to Real Madrid`s plans since Xabi Alonso took charge during the Club World Cup. As of now, there`s no clear indication from Spain or the team currently in America about a final decision on his future, but if he were to decide to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal would be a leading suitor.
They aren`t the only club interested. According to sources, Saudi Arabian club Neom SC is preparing a significant bid for Rodrygo. Newly promoted to the Pro League, Neom is owned by the same organization behind the planned city in Saudi Arabia`s northwest, funded by the sovereign wealth fund PIF, which has heavily invested in the Pro League`s top four clubs, significantly impacting the global transfer market over the past two years.
It`s unclear to what extent Rodrygo would consider a move away from Europe, but interest from one of Saudi Arabia`s wealthiest clubs, determined to sign star players this season, could inflate his price for European suitors. With Arsenal also strengthening defensively this summer – Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga reportedly close to joining, and talks ongoing for Valencia center back Cristhian Mosquera – a high price for Rodrygo could force Arsenal into difficult financial decisions.
In Rodrygo`s case, such decisions might be worthwhile. The young Brazilian has already demonstrated his ability to perform in crucial moments, famously contributing to Real Madrid`s victory over Manchester City in the 2022 Champions League semifinals. From 2022 to 2024, Rodrygo was a dynamic attacker: taking numerous shots, driving the ball into dangerous areas, and creating chances for himself and others. His output decreased last season, which is perhaps understandable given his role often being secondary to Vinicius Junior. With Kylian Mbappe arriving, alongside talents like Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, and Franco Mastantuono, the competition for attacking roles at Real Madrid is intense.
Alternative options
This situation highlights a common challenge for both Rodrygo and Martinelli. Part of the reason for Martinelli`s high output in 2022-23, particularly before the World Cup, was Gabriel Jesus drifting left, creating interplay opportunities and lanes for Martinelli. Jesus`s injuries and the emergence of Granit Xhaka and later Declan Rice as box-to-box midfielders have prompted Martinelli to play more strictly on the touchline, stretching the defense wide to open space for Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard on the opposite flank.
Attacking-wise, Arsenal heavily relies on Saka and Odegaard, and rightly so; their combination play is exceptionally effective. When considering new forward additions, a key question is how they would integrate with Saka and Odegaard. Could they function as an off-ball threat, finishing chances created from the right? (An interesting point about a potential Rodrygo signing is whether he would continue in the lower-touch role he`s had at Madrid or if his talent is such that Arsenal`s attacking focus might shift.)
This dynamic makes assessing other targets for Martinelli`s position challenging. Take Eberechi Eze, whose representatives have reportedly held talks with Arsenal recently. A look at his output suggests he produces significantly more than Arsenal`s No. 11 from his inside left position. He averages nearly three and a half shots and 0.31 xG compared to Martinelli`s 2.15 and 0.29, and also creates more chances (two vs. 1.5). However, one of Martinelli`s key strengths is his defensive work rate, and Eze recovers the ball notably more often.
Martinelli`s raw output also trails that of Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers, both linked with Arsenal. But is this difference simply due to him having fewer touches? Analyzing players` contributions per 100 touches provides a different perspective on the Brazilian`s performance.
How Martinelli compares to Arsenal`s Premier League targets
Per 100 touches, Premier League 2024-25
| Gabriel Martinelli | Eberechi Eze | Anthony Gordon | Morgan Rogers | Antoine Semenyo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty box touches | 17.83 | 6.4 | 9.75 | 10.16 | 11.41 |
| Shots | 5 | 6.39 | 4.16 | 3.56 | 6.73 |
| Non-penalty expected goals | 0.68 | 0.56 | 0.46 | 0.43 | 0.54 |
| Goals | 0.73 | 0.5 | 0.42 | 0.52 | 0.59 |
| Chances created | 3.64 | 3.64 | 3.59 | 3.36 | 2.48 |
| Take ons | 10.56 | 8.97 | 7.68 | 10.54 | 7.75 |
| Expected assists | 0.42 | 0.29 | 0.36 | 0.34 | 0.23 |
| Assists | 0.36 | 0.5 | 0.35 | 0.65 | 0.27 |
| Progressive passes | 5 | 7.08 | 7.26 | 8.34 | 5.76 |
| Progressive carries | 20.84 | 11.41 | 14.73 | 14.87 | 15.98 |
| Expected possession value added | 0.49 | 0.25 | 0.42 | 0.29 | 0.39 |
Adjusting metrics to per 100 touches indeed offers a different perspective on what seemed like a less productive year for Martinelli. On average, he touched the ball about 43 times per 90 minutes, compared to Eze`s 55 and Gordon`s 52. Rogers is closer at 44.5 and doesn`t necessarily produce significantly more per touch.
Further adjustments are always possible. When looking at per 100 touches overall, the player`s role in build-up (deeper vs. more advanced) isn`t accounted for. For example, a player like Eze might be involved in more deep build-up if he`s playing to a threat ghosting in off the left wing. However, if we adjust to per 100 touches specifically in the attacking third, Martinelli averages an expected goal. Only Eze, at 1.35, exceeds this, which is understandable given he takes more than double the number of shots as the Brazilian in this area.
Ultimately, questions remain. Is Eze`s high output simply a result of being the central figure in a mid-table team`s offense, or do his numbers truly reflect superior talent in getting on the ball and creating chances? Is Martinelli touching the ball less often because he doesn`t offer the same reliability in possession and build-up as other left wingers? Would Arsenal`s attacking patterns change to accommodate a player like Eze or Rodrygo? Rodrygo might be the caliber of wide player capable of propelling Arsenal to the silverware they desire, but would the rest of the team adapt for him, would he elevate Martinelli`s game, or would he serve primarily as a useful third option out wide?
These are complex questions without simple answers. Perhaps the clearest conclusion is that Arsenal already possesses one highly effective winger to pair with Saka. Now, with Martinelli having set a high standard, they face the task of finding another top-tier addition for the other flank.
