Agbonlahor suggests new Gabriel Martinelli move at Arsenal as £45m-plus bid tabled
Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Arsenal could move Gabriel Martinelli into a centre-forward role as they launch a big-money bid for winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Gunners need an extra striker with Gabriel Jesus currently on the treatment table.
Sources told this site on Tuesday (27 December) that Arsenal are increasingly confident of signing Shakhtar Donetsk sensation Mudryk – and have submitted a formal bid worth over £45million.
The left-sided winger has notched ten goals and eight assists in 18 outings this season to put Europe’s top sides on high alert.
Arsenal could be without Jesus for as long as three months – leaving Eddie Nketiah as their only recognised striker as they chase a first Premier League title since the 2003/04 season.
Martinelli has started the 2022/23 campaign in fine form, scoring six goals in 15 top-flight games.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think they could do with a centre-forward more than a winger.
“But you’ve just got to look at what’s available in the market. There isn’t really a striker who Arsenal feel is perfect for their line-up.
“They’ve got Nketiah at the moment, they’ve got Jesus who will be coming back at some point.
“But even with that lack of options, I think they see Mudryk as a player they can’t let pass them by.
“They could play him as a false nine, they can put Martinelli up front to lead the line – as he has done before.
“Arsenal obviously don’t want to let Mudryk slip through their fingers.”
In other news, Tottenham expert lambasts Arsenal after “under the radar” development – “you can’t be serious…”.