Arsenal to ‘reluctantly’ consider Gabriel Martinelli sale as new addition lined up at the Emirates
Arsenal are contemplating selling Gabriel Martinelli to make way for a new left-sided forward in their squad this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Brazilian is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, and a whole host of clubs in the Premier League and across Europe are ready to pounce if he becomes available.
The Gunners are potentially set to find themselves needing to sell several first-team players in order to balance the books, and sources say that the 24-year-old could be one man that they “reluctantly” opt to cash in on.
Martinelli’s contract situation has made him a prime candidate to potentially be shown the door in North London, as the club would otherwise run the risk of losing him for free.
Arsenal’s transfer plans will see them try to strengthen their hand again in the summer, but that looks set to work to the detriment of some of their current stars.
🔄 Arsenal Transfer Update 🔄
Breaking news on deals in progress, signings, departures, and contract news from the Emirates boardroom.
VISIT THE ARSENAL TRANSFER HUBGabriel Martinelli to become victim of Arsenal depth
Martinelli has been a key player for Arsenal in the Premier League in recent seasons, but his influence has been felt almost exclusively in their Champions League campaign this term.
The winger has six goals and one assist to his name in continental action, but has contributed to just four goals across his 25 league appearances.
| Stats | Martinelli | Madueke | Trossard |
| Apps (Starts) | 25 (9) | 20 (12) | 26 (18) |
| G/A | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| G/A per 90 | 0.43 | 0.3 | 0.52 |
| Chances Created per 90 | 0.96 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 1.91 | 2.4 | 0.91 |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 1.06 | 0.7 | 0.59 |
Just nine of those appearances have been starts, as Arteta has often preferred to start the likes of Noni Madueke or Leandro Trossard on the left flank.
Martinelli could be set to become a victim of the wealth of options that Arteta has available in attack, with a successful move for another forward potentially the final straw for him this summer.
Nevertheless, the wideman has built a promising reputation for himself during his time at the Emirates, and that is set to be enough to leave him with plenty of options if his club do look to sell him.
Arsenal worked hard to refresh their squad during last summer’s window, and they appear intent on continuing in that vein this time around, even if they lift the Premier League title at the end of the season.
Will Martinelli be suspended after FA Cup incident?
Ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider on Monday that Martinelli is unlikely to be retrospectively banned for pushing referee Samuel Barrott during his side’s FA Cup defeat to Southampton last weekend.
The Arsenal star was cautioned for pushing into Barrott while trying to take a quick free-kick with his team losing in the latter stages of the game, and could easily have seen red.
However, Hackett revealed that the FA and the PGMOL are not likely to review footage of the incident and dish out a suspension to Martinelli, as they are not keen on the idea of “re-refereeing” incidents.
Hackett personally deemed the Gunners’ man’s actions to be “unacceptable” and has called for a punishment to be enforced, but he expects that Martinelli will still be available for his team’s upcoming games.
💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰
Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium.
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Emirates Stadium.