Oliver Walton

Tue 15 July 2025 21:30, UK

Gabriel Martinelli has responded to Arsenal teammate Riccardo Calafiori amid rumours that the Brazil international could soon leave the Emirates Stadium for pastures new.

Martinelli recently reached the end of his sixth season with the Gunners after a 2019 move from Ituano in his native Brazil, but it felt as if he went backwards last term after some previously impressive form.

The 24-year-old registered 10 goals and six assists in 51 appearances, which is a clear drop-off compared to his 15 goals and seven assists in 46 games in 2022/23, so Arsenal are seemingly happy to let him leave this summer.

Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in May that Arsenal are prepared to accept offers for Martinelli ahead of the new season, while Brown revealed last month that Bayern Munich are targeting a move for Martinelli.

The Gunners are closing in on a move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, who could be deployed ahead of the Brazil international on the left-wing, and Brown recently revealed to Football Insider that Arsenal are planning to accept offers of £70million and above for Martinelli this summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Calafiori shares message from Arsenal pre-season camp

Arteta’s squad are currently taking part in a training camp in Marbella, Spain, before they face AC Milan in their first pre-season fixture in Singapore on 23 July.

Italian international defender Calafiori took to Instagram on Tuesday (15 July) to post a new update of his pre-season, with numerous pictures of him in action alongside his teammates captioned: “Amazing week in Spain. We keep working.”

Martinelli responded to Calafiori’s post in a heartfelt manner with two heart emojis left in the replies, while Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard were among those that liked the message.

Arsenal may need to sell Martinelli to fund their window

Football Insider verdict

Former scout Brown recently told Football Insider that Arsenal want to sign both Madueke and Eberechi Eze this summer, so with the former seemingly on his way to the club, the Gunners could look to focus on a deal for Eze soon.

They will surely need to sell an asset to be able to afford deals for him, Madueke and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres who is set to join Arsenal soon, so selling Martinelli seems like a realistic and viable option right now.

The 24-year-old has not been at his best in either of the last two campaigns, and if the Gunners are serious about consistently competing for Premier League titles and Champions League trophies, they could definitely do with an upgrade on him on the left wing.

Eze certainly seems like one as it stands, despite being slightly older, and Brown also told Football Insider on 6 July that Arsenal are weighing up whether to sign Eze and have held internal discussions about triggering his release clause.

New reports have stated that the Gunners are planning to discuss a potential move for Eze with Palace chairman Steve Parish soon, and so if he is signed for a big fee, Martinelli seems the most likely to be on his way out of North London ahead of the new season.