Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli is at “threat” from manager Mikel Arteta upgrading on him, as the Gunners' revolution leaves fan favourites behind.
The north Londoners travelled west for a 1-1 draw against Fulham at the weekend, in which the team's issues against mid-blocks persisted. Martinelli was brought off the bench in the second half, however, provided a spark for Arsenal.
The Brazilian even set up what the visitors believed to be a winning goal, before VAR revealed Martinelli to have strayed offside in the build-up before whipping the ball into Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal have looked to upgrade on Martinelli
Martinelli – ranked at no.8 in FourFourTwo's list of the best left-wingers in the world right now – currently job-shares the role with Leandro Trossard.
The pair have consistently rotated this season but with Trossard rumoured to be rewarded with a new contract in the coming weeks, it looks as if Martinelli's days could be numbered at Arsenal.
According to Arsenal journalist Charles Watts, Arsenal have looked at potential players to replace the 23-year-old.
Writing for CaughtOffside, Watts confirmed that the Gunners have actively chased upgrades on Martinelli while admitting that, “he’s not the biggest problem at Arsenal right now”.
Martinelli has scored 35 times in 141 appearances since moving to English football, with most of those performances coming on the left wing. He has just three goals this term – and FourFourTwo agrees with Watts' assessment that the star isn't the biggest problem facing Arteta.
Arsenal's entire lefthand side leaves Martinelli isolated at the best of times, with Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori brought in to address the problem.
The best thing for Arsenal would not be for Martinelli to be replaced but for a different kind of forward to be introduced. Despite their riches in attack, the Gunners lack a transitional threat – and will likely look to add one in the summer.
Martinelli is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt. Arsenal take on Monaco this week when Champions League action returns.
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