Arsenal have dream Rodrygo and Martinelli transfer outcome as Ethan Nwaneri sends clear message

It’s not too much longer to wait until the Premier League returns Arsenal back in action this weekend.

The Gunners return to action in Saturday’s early kick-off (12.30pm) when they take on Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. That game could see deadline day signing Piero Hincapie potentially make his debut for the club, especially with fitness concerns over William Saliba.

Arsenal go into the game against Forest looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool in their last outing. The loss was the Gunners’ first of the season following victories over Manchester United and Leeds United.

While there may have been no Premier League games and the transfer window is now closed, that’s not stopped news and rumours around the Emirates Stadium. With that in mind, here’s a look at a couple of the latest stories with our own thoughts also added.

Gabriel Martinelli decision

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for winger Gabriel Martinelli in the January transfer window, according to reports.

CaughtOffside claim that there is uncertainty over the player’s future, with Andrea Berta having reassessed Martinelli’s place in the squad. It was reported that Arsenal put a £60 million asking price on the player’s head in the summer, but suitors were only willing to pay around £40 million.

AC Milan are on of the clubs credited with an interest, with Martinelli reportedly seen as an ideal replacement for Rafael Leao.

FL says : Martinelli has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium and has failed to consistently reach the heights that he once did. Therefore, if Arsenal are able to get around £50 million for the player, then they should cash in.

That fee could then be reinvested into the squad. It would go a long way to funding a potential move for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo as a potential replacement.

Ethan Nwaneri reminder

While the Premier League may be on a break, several Arsenal players have still been in action. One of those on Monday was academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.

The 18-year-old was named in the starting XI by Lee Carsley for England U21s European qualifier against Kazakhstan. He started on the right wing and it took him just 18 minutes to get on the scresheet as he put the Young Lions ahead.

Nwaneri played 76 minutes of the match as England came out as 2-0 winners. At the end of the game, his performance earned him the man of the match award.

FL says : Nwaneri has been an unused substitute for Arsenal in two of the three Premier League games this season, although he did replace Martin Odegaard in the first half of the game against Leeds last month.

The signings of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and even Martin Zubimendi does provide more competition to the youngster this season. But his performance for the Young Lions just serves as a reminder to Mikel Arteta as to what he can ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend.

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