Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Evan Lloyd

Sat 30 May 2026 8:00, UK

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Gabriel Martinelli should be among Newcastle United’s options to replace Anthony Gordon this summer, after he signed for Barcelona.

The Brazilian’s contract expires in 2027, and he could be set to leave the Gunners this summer after finally winning the Premier League, seven years after he joined from Ituano.

Martinelli may also feature on Saturday as Arsenal attempt to complete the double and beat PSG in the Champions League final in Budapest.

There has been a growing suspicion that either the 24-year-old or Leandro Trossard will leave this summer amid a new signing on the left for the champions.

Either exit would make for an interesting opportunity for Newcastle transfer chiefs, although the age profile would call for it to be Martinelli.

Why Gabriel Martinelli could be Anthony Gordon’s replacement

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Martinelli is pushing to stay at Arsenal, but this season has seen him struggle to feature.

The winger scored just one goal in the Premier League this season, and started just 11 league games over the course of the campaign.

His best form came in the cup competitions, scoring six in the Champions League, including goals against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and four in the FA Cup.

Martinelli’s season even controversially landed him a spot in Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, making it in over Joao Pedro.

Interestingly, his recent years have almost matched up to Gordon’s. His 2022-23 season is known as his best, and rightly so – it saw him score 15 goals and provide five assists in the Premier League alone.

The years since have seen him fail to replicate that tally, with this season seeing him thrive in the cups.

All 5 of Gabriel Martinelli's record breaking Champions League goals for Arsenal 🔥🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/C5gh8jTbsJ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2025

Gordon’s 2023-24 season, in which he scored 11 Premier League goals and provided 10 assists, is perhaps the equivalent, and this season also saw him excel in the cups, netting 10 Champions League goals.

Newcastle stuck with the winger through bad patches of form because they were well aware of his ability, and that could be exactly why they sign Martinelli.

Gordon and Martinelli compared by stats

Stylistically, Martinelli and Gordon appear to be fairly similar. Both players stick wide and can beat their man to the touchline, but often prefer to cut inside and look for the far corner.

The Arsenal man actually gets marginally more shots away, producing 1.85 per game to Gordon’s 1.84 and 1.09 on target to his 0.99.

"What a MAGICAL finish!" ✨

Gabriel Martinelli equalises for Arsenal in injury-time! pic.twitter.com/dFllxh3eFP

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025

The Barcelona winger enjoys the advantage on expected goals and expected assists per 90 (0.60 xG + xA per 90 to Martinelli’s 0.44) but the advantage is not massive, considering the Brazilian’s far less minutes.

There’s the defensive side, too, in which the 24-year-old beats Gordon for tackles, blocks, clearances and possession won in the final third per game.

It will not be easy for Newcastle to replace their talisman, but in Martinelli, they may be able to reignite a fading light that needs to be the star once more.